The Minority New Patriotic Party (NPP) caucus in Parliament has described the 2026 Budget Statement and Economic Policy presented by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson as mere lamentations.
According to them, when Dr. Forson began his “lamentations” in March 2025, they were willing to forgive him for being new on the job. “Today, after several months, he came to repeat the same part two of his lamentation,” they said.
Reacting on the floor of the House after the budget statement, Minority leader, Osahen Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin pointed to an empty Public Gallery as evidence that the business community had abandoned the minister.
He criticized the Finance Minister for providing lengthy lists of allocations without accounting for claims that the Presidency gave GH¢20,000 monthly to each of the 66 constituencies as alleged by a presidential staffer.
“The Minister of Finance has not accounted for this and how that money is given, but time will tell,” he said.
The MP for Effutu also accused Dr. Forson of failing to recognize Parliament’s oversight role, describing the allocation to the House as paltry. He criticized the minister for not addressing the 24-hour economy programme, asking, “Where are the one job, three shifts?” and expressing concern over rising unemployment in constituencies.
Responding, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga rejected claims that the budget was full of lamentations, saying it revealed the poor economic management of the previous NPP government. He noted that Parliament’s budget had risen from GH¢1.1 billion in 2025 to a proposed GH¢1.6 billion in 2026, and that all figures had been approved in Cabinet. On the 24-hour economy, he said GH¢150 million had been allocated.
Mr Ayariga emphasized that the government’s efforts were stabilizing the economy, lowering inflation to single digits, repaying debts, and improving international ratings. He said these measures would create jobs and urged youth to be hopeful, citing past economic mismanagement as the reason for unemployment struggles.
