The Minority in Parliament has criticised the 2027 Budget, arguing that it fails to provide immediate solutions to unemployment and the rising cost of living despite the government’s claims of economic recovery.
The Ranking Member of Parliament’s Finance Committee, Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, said the opposition had set clear expectations ahead of the budget presentation, including a credible plan to tackle youth unemployment, an account of jobs created under the 24-Hour Economy programme and measures to ease the financial pressures facing households.
However, he said the statement presented by Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson on Thursday, November 12 did not adequately address those concerns, instead placing emphasis on improvements in headline economic indicators such as inflation, the primary balance, Treasury bill rates and Ghana’s credit ratings.
Dr Amin Adam argued that the gains being celebrated by the government had not translated into meaningful relief for ordinary Ghanaians, who continued to contend with expensive food, transport and utility bills.
“The Minister celebrates the paper economy: inflation at 5.5%, a primary surplus, lower Treasury bill rates and better credit ratings. We acknowledge those gains. But the Budget’s own tables show the pocket economy being asked to pay more in 2027,” he said.
Addressing the media at Parliament on Friday, November 13, following the Finance Minister’s presentation of the 2027 Budget, Dr Amin Adam said the government was asking citizens to bear more costs in the immediate term while waiting until 2030 for the promised benefits of its new economic programme.
“The paper economy has been celebrated, and we acknowledge it. But Ghanaians do not live on paper. They live on what is in their pockets, on the price of rice, on the fare to work and on whether their children can find a job,” he added.