Mid year budget: Minority warns Finance Minister against seeking more funds

Ghana's opposition lawmakers have warned Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson against seeking additional government funding when he presents the country's 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review, arguing that the administration should first account for resources already approved by Parliament.

The warning comes ahead of one of the most closely watched parliamentary sessions of the year, during which the Finance Minister is expected to outline the performance of the economy, review implementation of the 2026 Budget Statement and present revised fiscal projections for the remainder of the year.

Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, First Deputy Minority Whip and Member of Parliament for Tolon, Habib Iddrisu, said the Minority would scrutinise every aspect of the budget review and reject any request for fresh financial approvals.

"He should not come and ask for any money because we will not give him any money because of the money that we have given," Mr Iddrisu told Parliament.

The Minority argued that Parliament had already approved significant financial resources for the government, including a loan facility of about US$1 billion, and said the priority should now be demonstrating how those funds had been used.

Pressure over campaign promises

The opposition said Ghanaians were looking to the budget review for answers on delayed payments to local contractors and the implementation of flagship government programmes announced since President John Mahama returned to office.

Mr Iddrisu said thousands of contractors continued to face financial difficulties because of unpaid government arrears.

"Ghanaian contractors have not been paid; they are suffering, there is no money in the system," he said.

The Minority also called on the Finance Minister to provide measurable progress on major policy initiatives, including the proposed 24-hour economy, the Women's Development Bank, the Nkoko Nkitinkiti programme and the One, Three, Three initiative.

According to the caucus, many of those programmes remain largely at the announcement stage.

Budget under close scrutiny

The Mid-Year Budget Review is expected to provide one of the clearest assessments yet of the government's economic performance during the first half of 2026.

Economists, businesses and investors will be watching closely for updates on economic growth, inflation, public debt, revenue performance and government spending, as well as any revisions to fiscal targets for the rest of the year.

The presentation is also expected to indicate whether the government remains on course to meet its economic commitments while balancing demands for increased public spending.

Although the Minority has pledged to oppose any request for additional funding, the Finance Minister is expected to use the budget review to defend the government's economic strategy and outline its priorities for the months ahead.

With pressure mounting over campaign promises and public expectations for improved economic conditions, the budget review is likely to become a key test of the government's fiscal credibility and its ability to convince both Parliament and the public that its economic agenda remains on track.