Finance Minister Ato Forson Set to Unveil 2026 Budget Today, Eyes Post-IMF Growth Push
Ghana’s Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, is gearing up to lay out the 2026 Budget Statement and Economic Policy before Parliament this afternoon—a blueprint that’s got economists, businesses, and everyday Ghanaians buzzing as the country edges toward life after the IMF.
With the nation’s bailout wrapping up in May 2026, today’s pitch is no routine read: It’s the Mahama administration’s first full-year game plan, shifting gears from IMF guardrails to homegrown expansion.
Expect sharp eyes on debt management, spending cuts, and private sector sparks, as analysts hunt for clues on sustaining stability without the Fund’s safety net.
Forson has teased big bets on jobs, productivity, and scaling up farms, factories, and tech hubs to fuel growth.
The pitch will also spotlight revenue tweaks—like trimming VAT from 22% to 20% and axing the COVID levy—to ease the squeeze on wallets and wallets.
Plus, beefed-up social safety nets for the vulnerable and a nod to macro wins like a steadier cedi.
Public chatter is electric: Market traders in Takoradi want import duty relief for drivers hauling goods, while the private sector—via KPMG and UNDP surveys—pushes for real-economy boosts like infrastructure and tax breaks.
Media accreditation is open, and Parliament’s teed up for the 2 p.m. showdown, per Article 179 of the Constitution.
As Forson steps up—fresh off chats with market women and IFC bigwigs—this budget could set the tone for Ghana’s next chapter. Stay tuned for the full rundown as it drops.
