Finance Minister Dr. Ato Forson is expected to present Ghana’s 2026 Budget Statement and Economic Policy to Parliament on November 13, according to people familiar with the process. The date, still awaiting parliamentary approval, will mark the administration’s first full-year budget since winning the 2024 elections and taking office nearly nine months ago.
Analysts say the 2025 Budget largely followed the framework set by the previous government, making the upcoming statement a key test of the Forson-led administration’s fiscal priorities and policy direction.
Under Ghana’s Public Financial Management Act, the Finance Minister must present the national budget to Parliament no later than November 15 each year. Officials say the Finance Ministry has completed several rounds of stakeholder consultations to finalise the measures and programmes that will anchor the 2026 fiscal plan.
In earlier interviews, Dr. Forson said the new budget would focus on job creation and stimulating economic growth. People close to the matter say it will also introduce tax reforms aimed at improving revenue mobilisation while easing the burden on businesses and households.
According to Ghana Revenue Authority Commissioner-General Anthony Sarpong, the government is expected to review the Value Added Tax (VAT), reducing the effective rate from 22% to 20% as part of broader efforts to simplify the system and make it more business-friendly. The Finance Minister is also expected to review several levies, including the COVID-19 levy.
The 2026 Budget comes as Ghana prepares to exit its International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme in May 2026, placing added pressure on the government to demonstrate credible plans for fiscal discipline and post-programme economic management.
Economists and industry leaders will be watching closely to see how Dr. Forson intends to balance fiscal consolidation with growth initiatives, particularly in managing the deficit and controlling public expenditure while maintaining macroeconomic stability.
Source:2