Parliament concludes debate on 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review

Parliament has concluded debate on the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review, with the Minority and Majority leaders presenting contrasting views on the government’s economic performance and policies.

The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, criticised the budget review, describing it as lacking concrete measures to address the challenges facing Ghanaians.

He argued that the presentation by Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson contained mostly rhetoric, with no significant interventions to create jobs or reduce the rising cost of living.

According to him, food prices, transportation fares, rents and electricity tariffs have increased significantly over the past one and a half years, worsening economic pressures on citizens.

However, the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, rejected the claims, arguing that the current government inherited economic difficulties from the previous administration.

He accused the previous government of spending substantial resources on projects such as the National Cathedral and Agenda 111, which he said were not completed.

Ayariga commended the Finance Minister for improving debt sustainability, strengthening the economy and building stronger foreign exchange reserves.

The Mid-Year Budget Review was presented to Parliament by the Finance Minister on Thursday, July 23, 2026, outlining government’s economic performance and revised policy measures for the remainder of the financial year.