The Government of Ghana is setting the stage for a 2026 national budget focused on job creation, private sector-led growth, and infrastructure expansion, following a two-day stakeholder consultation convened by the Ministry of Finance in Accra.
The engagement brought together representatives from academia, financial institutions, think tanks, and professional associations to contribute ideas toward shaping what the Ministry describes as a “people-centred and growth-driven budget.”
Deputy Minister for Finance, Mr. Thomas Nyarko Ampem, who led the discussions, said the exercise was part of efforts to make the budgeting process more participatory and transparent. “We want a budget that reflects the aspirations of Ghanaians — one that every citizen can identify with and support its successful implementation,” he stated.
He said the 2026 fiscal policy blueprint, scheduled for presentation to Parliament in November, would consolidate recent macroeconomic gains and channel resources into sectors that stimulate sustainable growth.
Mr. Ampem noted that the upcoming budget will place special emphasis on employment generation, youth empowerment, infrastructure development, and targeted social protection. More than 60 road projects are currently underway, and allocations for infrastructure are expected to more than double in the coming year.
He attributed the positive macroeconomic indicators — including a primary balance surplus of 1.4 percent of GDP, a fiscal deficit of 1.5 percent, and a reduction in public debt to 46.8 percent — to the government’s commitment to fiscal discipline and stakeholder-driven planning.
Inflation has also dropped to 9.4 percent, while treasury bill rates have fallen by 1,300 basis points, supported by a stable cedi and improved credit ratings.
“These achievements are not ends in themselves but building blocks for sustained recovery and shared prosperity,” the Deputy Minister said. “We remain committed to building a resilient economy that creates jobs, expands opportunities, and protects the vulnerable.”
The Ministry underscored that the participatory budgeting process — mandated under Section 21 of the Public Financial Management Act — would ensure broad ownership and accountability.
Officials also cited lessons from the 2025 budget consultations, which included inputs from market women, traders, industry players, and academics, as instrumental in shaping the current economic rebound.
