The Ministry of Finance has held a two-day stakeholder consultation as part of preparations for the 2026 Annual Budget, expected to be presented to Parliament in November 2025.
The engagement aimed to gather input from key economic sectors and enhance public participation in the national budget formulation process.
Participants included representatives from banking and non-banking financial institutions, professional bodies, trade associations, think tanks, civil society organizations (CSOs), faith-based organizations (FBOs), academia, and other organized groups.
Deputy Minister for Finance, Mr. Thomas Nyarko Ampem, reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring transparency and inclusiveness in the budget process.
He recalled the Ministry’s visit to Makola Market ahead of the 2025 Budget presentation as part of efforts to capture the concerns and experiences of ordinary Ghanaians.
“Today’s session offers a valuable platform for us to hear your perspectives, proposals, and expectations as we prepare the 2026 Budget. The ideas gathered from stakeholders like you will guide our efforts to design policies that advance growth, equity, and resilience,” Mr. Ampem noted.
He also outlined some of the government’s recent economic achievements, including a primary balance surplus of 1.4% of GDP, a fiscal deficit reduction to 1.5%, and a decline in public debt to 44.9% of GDP.
He added that Ghana’s recent staff-level agreement with the IMF under the Extended Credit Facility and credit rating upgrade by Moody’s reflect renewed international confidence in the country’s economic management.
According to the Deputy Minister, the government remains committed to sustaining the momentum of economic recovery and building a resilient, inclusive economy.
“Our priorities going forward include economic stabilization, fiscal discipline, infrastructure development, social protection, education and youth empowerment, and job creation,” he said.
The Ministry emphasized that feedback from the consultations would directly inform policy direction and interventions in the 2026 Budget.
Under Section 21 of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921), the Minister for Finance is mandated to prepare the national budget in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
