Full Summary Text Of Ghana 2026 Budget Statement

ACCRA: Ghana’s 2026 Budget, presented by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, outlines a bold plan for economic transformation.

Here are the major highlights, policy priorities, and what the budget means for ordinary Ghanaians according to GhanaSky.com analyst.

Chapter 1: Introduction & Macroeconomic Outlook

• The budget opens by highlighting Ghana’s gradual economic recovery: lower inflation, stabilising cedi, renewed investor confidence.
• For 2026, government targets real GDP growth of around 5%, driven by private-sector expansion, improved energy supply and expected gains in agriculture and industry.
• Macroeconomic policy objectives for 2026 include:

1. 1. Maintaining fiscal discipline

   2. Accelerating jobs and growth

   3. Protecting vulnerable citizens

   4. Advancing structural and public-sector reforms

Chapter 2: Fiscal Policy & Debt Sustainability

• Government commits to achieving a primary surplus in 2026 to anchor debt sustainability.
• The strategy includes controlling expenditure growth, improving domestic revenue mobilisation, and strengthening arrears management.
• Clear targets are set for overall deficit reduction and gradual lowering of the debt-to-GDP ratio over the medium term.
• Emphasis on predictable and transparent public spending, with stricter cash-flow controls.

Chapter 3: Revenue Mobilisation & Tax Policy

• Focus on widening the tax base through improved compliance, enhanced digital tax systems and stronger monitoring of non-tax revenue.
• The budget discontinues certain pandemic-era levies to ease burdens on households and businesses.
• Adjustments to VAT and tax exemptions aim to balance fairness with revenue needs.
• Measures to support private-sector expansion include targeted reliefs for sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing and renewable energy.

Chapter 4: Expenditure Priorities & Public Investment

• Capital spending prioritises:

  • Roads and transport infrastructure

  • Water and sanitation projects

  • Energy generation and transmission

  • Irrigation and agricultural mechanisation

• Strong emphasis on job-creating initiatives, with government targeting close to 800,000 jobs across sectors in 2026.

• Social sectors—education, health and social protection—remain heavily funded to strengthen human capital.

• Spending efficiency and value-for-money assessments are highlighted as a priority.

Chapter 5: Sectoral Strategies

Agriculture

• Boost mechanisation, irrigation and access to improved seedlings.

• Expand feeder roads and market access to support value-chain development.

Industry & Manufacturing

• Support local production and import substitution.
• Scale up incentive schemes for manufacturers and industrial parks.

Energy & Natural Resources

• Plans for additional power-generation capacity, including a new large-scale thermal facility.
• Support for new investments in oil and gas exploration and production.
• Commitment to improve reliability of electricity for homes and businesses.

Infrastructure & Transport

• Prioritisation of major road networks, bridges, market redevelopments and regional transport corridors.

Human Capital Development

• Expand youth skills training, digital skills programmes and TVET funding.
• Increase resources for primary health care, maternal services and disease-control programmes.

Governance & Public Sector Reform

• Digital transformation of public services
• Strengthening procurement, audit and accountability mechanisms
• Performance-based budgeting across MDAs and MMDAs

Chapter 6: Social Protection & Inclusivity

• Government commits to shielding vulnerable groups from the effects of fiscal consolidation.

• Expanded programmes include:

  • Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP)

  • School feeding improvements

  • Support for persons with disabilities

  • Community-based nutrition and health outreach

• Emphasis on closing inequality gaps, especially in rural and peri-urban areas.

Chapter 7: Public Financial Management Reform

• Strengthens systems for expenditure control, payroll management and public procurement.
• Enhanced arrears-clearance strategy to improve private-sector liquidity.
• Improved monitoring of SOEs and management of contingent liabilities.
• Rollout of updated programme-based budgeting tools.

Chapter 8: Risks & Mitigation Measures

• Identifies risks including revenue shortfalls, global economic conditions, commodity-price volatility and exchange-rate pressures.
• Mitigation strategies include maintaining macro buffers, diversifying exports, boosting domestic revenue and strengthening financial-sector oversight.
• Government emphasises cautious but realistic assumptions for 2026.

Chapter 9: Medium-Term Framework (2026–2029)

• Outlines projected revenue growth, expenditure ceilings and debt-reduction targets.

• Focus shifts from “stabilisation” (2023–2025) to “transformation and expansion” in 2026 and beyond.

• Medium-term priorities:

  1. Job-intensive industrialisation

  2. Enhancing agricultural productivity

  3. Deepening digital government

  4. Expanding renewable energy

  5. Strengthening social protection

Chapter 10: Implementation, Monitoring & Accountability

• Quarterly performance reviews and public reporting to improve transparency.
• Collaboration with civil society, academia and the private sector in monitoring programmes.
• Commitment to produce a simplified “Citizens’ Budget” for public understanding.
• Emphasis on evidence-based budgeting and measurable outcomes for every ministry.

Key Measures Announced

• Removal of specific pandemic-era levies to ease cost of living.
• Target of nearly 800,000 new jobs in 2026.
• Large-scale power-generation investments, including a new state-owned thermal project.
• Additional multi-billion-dollar investments expected in the energy and petroleum sector.
• Strengthened targeting and funding of social protection programmes.
• Renewed commitment to transparent public spending and arrears clearance.

Read Full Ghana 2026 Budget Text Statement Below:

FULL BUDGET TEXT HERE