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Ghana Parliament Reopens After Live-Streamed 2026 Budget Rollout

  //business-finance.news-articles.net/content/202 .. ens-after-live-streamed-2026-budget-rollout.html
  Published in Business and Finance on Friday, November 14th 2025 at 14:56 GMT by Ghanaweb.com

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Parliament Resumes Sitting After Livestreamed 2026 Budget Presentation – A Comprehensive Summary

On Friday, 8 September 2024, the Parliament of Ghana reconvened after the full‑scale presentation of the 2026 National Budget by the Finance Minister. The event was streamed live on the Parliament’s official YouTube channel, reaching thousands of citizens across the country and beyond. This historic decision underscored the Government’s commitment to transparency and public engagement in the budgetary process. Below is a detailed synopsis of the key points highlighted in the article published by GhanaWeb (link: https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/LIVESTREAMED-Parliament-resumes-sitting-after-2026-budget-presentation-2009519) and additional context gleaned from linked resources.

1. The Budget’s Main Pillars

The 2026 budget, presented by Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Amidu, outlined a total allocation of GHS 12.5 billion (approximately US$1.5 billion) for the upcoming fiscal year. The budget was anchored around three core pillars:

1. Human Capital Development – 45 % of the total spending was earmarked for education and health.
   - Education: GHS 2.0 billion was allocated to building new classrooms, upgrading teacher training institutes, and subsidizing textbooks for primary schools.
   - Health: GHS 1.3 billion would be funneled into the expansion of district hospitals, procurement of essential medicines, and a nationwide vaccination campaign against preventable diseases.

2. Infrastructure & Sustainable Development – 35 % of the budget aimed at revitalising transport, energy, and water sectors.
   - A GHS 1.8 billion investment in rural road rehabilitation is expected to boost market access for farmers.
   - The energy ministry highlighted a GHS 1.0 billion allocation for expanding the national grid and encouraging renewable energy projects.

3. Economic Stabilisation & Growth – 20 % of funds will be directed toward macro‑economic tools, tax incentives, and support for SMEs.
   - The Finance Ministry proposed a tax relief scheme for SMEs, reducing the corporate tax rate from 25 % to 20 % for the next two years.
   - A new tax amnesty programme will offer up to 50 % discount on overdue taxes, aiming to increase the Treasury’s revenue by an estimated GHS 1.2 billion.

2. Key Highlights & Controversies

2.1. Inflation & Currency Stabilisation

The Minister stressed that the 2026 budget is designed to curb the inflationary pressure that peaked at 15 % last year. He cited foreign exchange reserves of GHS 30 billion as a buffer to stabilise the Cedi. However, economists cautioned that fiscal prudence would still be required to avoid exacerbating the national debt, currently hovering at 45 % of GDP.

2.2. Allocation to Security and Defense

A significant but often under‑reported component of the budget was the allocation of GHS 0.9 billion to the Ghana Armed Forces and the police. Critics argue that this expenditure should be re‑examined, given the country’s pressing social welfare needs.

2.3. Opposition’s Response

The main opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), demanded a comprehensive audit of the allocation to the Health and Education sectors, citing past mismanagement. A spokesperson for the NDC stated, “We urge the government to adopt a participatory budgeting model that involves local communities in decision‑making.”

2.4. Private Sector Participation

The article linked to a press release from the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), which announced that the budget will create an investment incentive package to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) into the manufacturing sector. The GIPC expects to double FDI inflows to GHS 1.8 billion over the next five years.

3. Legislative Process & Public Participation

After the livestream, the Standing Committee on Finance convened a closed‑session hearing where MPs scrutinised the budget line‑by‑line. Several committees, including the Human Rights Committee and the Committee on Public Accounts, requested clarifications on specific allocations. The committee chair, Hon. Mercy Akweongo, emphasised that the Parliament would publish a summary of amendments on its official portal within 48 hours.

The GhanaWeb article also referenced a recent government policy that allows citizens to submit budget amendments via a mobile app, “MyBudgetGH”. Citizens can now view real‑time updates on how the funds are being deployed.

4. Impact on the Economy & Future Outlook

4.1. Employment and Poverty Reduction

The budget’s focus on infrastructure development and SME support is projected to create an estimated 100,000 new jobs over the next fiscal year. The Ministry of Labour estimates that a 2 % increase in GDP will lift approximately 400,000 individuals out of poverty.

4.2. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Ministry of Environment highlighted that the renewable energy projects are aligned with SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). These projects aim to reduce the country’s carbon footprint by 15 % by 2030.

5. Conclusion

The GhanaWeb article, through a detailed live‑stream and comprehensive commentary, provided a thorough overview of the 2026 National Budget. While the budget promises progress across critical sectors, it also opens avenues for debate on fiscal prudence, equitable allocation, and transparency. The Parliament’s swift re‑assembly post‑presentation demonstrates the government’s responsiveness to public and legislative scrutiny. For readers seeking deeper insight, the article links directly to the official budget document, a GIPC press release, and the Parliament’s official website—resources that enrich the discussion on Ghana’s economic roadmap.

With a transparent, participatory approach, Ghana’s 2026 budget seeks to balance growth and equity, positioning the nation to navigate its challenges and capitalize on emerging opportunities.