2026 Mid-Year Budget Review set for parliament next week

The Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, is scheduled to present the government’s 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review to parliament next week, pending approval from the House’s leadership.

The timing will depend on parliament’s calendar, while the Minister of Finance must also conclude Cabinet consultations on key policy proposals before briefing President John Dramani Mahama ahead of the submission.

If these processes are completed as planned, the review will be laid before Parliament next week.

The Mid-Year Budget Review will outline government’s strategy for sustaining recent macroeconomic improvements and transitioning the economy from stabilisation to long-term growth.

It will build on fiscal reforms and the broader recovery programme, with emphasis on job creation, productivity, resilience, and inclusive growth.

Dr Forson will also brief Parliament on Ghana’s transition from the IMF’s Extended Credit Facility (ECF) to the Policy Coordination Instrument (PCI), alongside an update on the country’s debt restructuring efforts, particularly external debt negotiations.

The review is likely to highlight Ghana’s improved debt sustainability following recent IMF assessments.

On the fiscal front, the finance minister will present revenue performance for the first half of 2026 and outline expenditure management measures for the remainder of the year to safeguard priority sectors.

The review will also detail plans to stimulate economic activity, create jobs, maintain fiscal discipline, and preserve investor confidence.

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The document will assess the economy’s performance over the first six months, covering revenue mobilisation, public expenditure, debt servicing, and the fiscal outlook, while announcing any adjustments to the 2026 Budget deemed necessary in response to prevailing economic conditions.

The Mid-Year Budget Review is required under Section 28 of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921), which mandates the Finance Minister to update Parliament on budget implementation and the fiscal outlook for the rest of the year.

It also serves as an accountability mechanism, enabling parliament, investors, development partners, and the public to assess government’s fiscal performance against approved targets.

DR/SA