By Nelson Ayivor
In a powerhouse presentation that’s got Ghanaians buzzing, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has unveiled the 2026 Budget a seismic “Reset for Growth, Jobs, and Economic Transformation” that’s set to catapult President John Dramani Mahama’s administration from crisis mode to boom time.
Delivering the blueprint on behalf of the President, Forson painted a vivid picture of a nation rising from the ashes of mismanagement. “When this administration took office, we met an economy in distress, weighed down by debt, weakened by mismanagement, and stripped of confidence,” he thundered in Parliament.
But hold on Ghana’s turned the corner with iron-fisted fiscal discipline, taming inflation, steadying the cedi, and wooing back jittery investors. “Ghana’s economy is breathing again, stronger, steadier, and full of promise,” Forson declared, vowing this isn’t just recovery it’s a full-throttle reset.
Tightening the Belt for a Growth Explosion
At the core? Slashing the fiscal deficit from 2.8% of GDP this year to a lean 2% in 2026, all while keeping spending in check up just 0.4% to 15.4% of GDP. No tax hikes on the little guy; instead, smart revenue grabs by widening the net and boosting efficiency.
The primary shortfall? Locked at 1.5% of GDP, with overall deficits at 2.2% on commitment and 4% on cash basis. “This fiscal stance balances consolidation with growth,” Forson said, channeling Mahama’s mantra: fix the crisis, reset for prosperity.
Big Push Infrastructure: Jobs Bonanza on the Horizon
Enter the star of the show the “Big Push Infrastructure Programme,” a multi-billion blitz on roads, energy, health, and education that’s primed to unleash thousands of jobs and turbocharge productivity. “This government has chosen a harder but higher road, the road of reform, renewal, and resilience,” Forson boomed, promising it’ll slash business costs, beef up industry, and build a future-proof Ghana. Imagine smoother highways, reliable power grids, and world-class schools all fueling an economic inferno.
Three Pillars of Power: Stability, Jobs, and Safety Nets
Forson’s roadmap zeroes in on three juggernauts: locking down macro stability with single-digit inflation and rock-solid exchange rates; supercharging jobs via the 24-Hour Economy, agribusiness boom, and export accelerators; and fortifying social services from rearming security forces to universal electricity, clean water, and healthcare for all.
“We will accelerate economic transformation and job creation, driven by large-scale investment,” he pledged, spotlighting commercial agriculture and natural resource reforms. For the vulnerable? Unwavering protection, with education modernized and poverty tackled head-on.
From the rubble of 2025’s recovery, this budget catapults Ghana into transformation overdrive. “Mr. Speaker, this budget moves Ghana from recovery to transformation, designed to deliver tangible results, reduce the cost of living, empower businesses, and create decent jobs,” Forson asserted. Mahama’s watchword? Public finance integrity is “sacred” no compromises.
As 2026 dawns, the message is crystal: Ghana’s not just surviving; it’s surging toward shared prosperity. With fiscal smarts, infrastructure muscle, and job engines roaring, the reset is real and the boom is just getting started. What a turnaround.