Ghanaians need jobs, not empty slogans - Amin Adam to Ato Forson ahead of 2027 Budget

On the eve of the 2027 Budget, former Finance Minister Dr Mohammed Amin Adam has thrown a direct challenge to his successor, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson: stop selling Ghanaians new slogans and start delivering jobs.

In a powerful open letter titled “Of Failed Promises and Repackaged Slogans: Ghana Needs Jobs, Not Another Economic Catchphrase,” Dr Amin Adam warned that the government’s much-touted “New Economy Budget” risks becoming just another branding exercise if it fails to answer the hard questions about the 24-Hour Economy.

“Ghana does not suffer from a shortage of economic slogans,” he wrote. “What we lack are sufficient productive jobs, thriving businesses, rising real incomes and the economic freedom that allows ordinary citizens to improve their lives through enterprise and hard work.”

He pointed to the KPMG pre-budget survey released today, where 71% of Ghanaians named jobs and youth employment as the national priority and 54% cited the cost of living, as proof that the real economy is still hurting despite falling inflation.

Dr Amin Adam also questioned the financing of the government’s proposed US$10 billion New Economy programme, the plan to cut the primary surplus from 1.5% to 0.5% of GDP and the recent reversal of gains with inflation climbing back from 3.2% to 5.5% and the cedi depreciating by 9.5% by September 2026.

“Before unveiling a New Economy, account for the 24-Hour Economy,” he insisted. “Ghana needs a functioning economy, not another freshly packaged promise.”