Top Story & News Night: Gov’t Defends Mid-Year Budget as Minority Slams Missing 24-Hour Economy
Top Story & News Night on Joy 99.7 FM, hosted by Kenneth Gyasi, with Gemma Appiah on News Night, brings you comprehensive coverage and analysis of the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review.
Government is defending its economic record, rejecting Minority claims that it deliberately squeezed expenditure to create the impression of a budget surplus. Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson insists every spending obligation has been honoured, pointing to falling inflation, a stronger cedi, lower debt levels and sustained economic growth as evidence that Ghana's economy remains firmly on track.
The Mid-Year Budget Review also outlines major tax administration reforms, including electronic VAT monitoring, expanded use of Pelican AI at the ports, procurement reforms to reduce waste, progress under the Big Push infrastructure programme, and a new COCOBOD Bill aimed at guaranteeing cocoa farmers at least 70% of the free-on-board price.
But the Minority says the budget review fell short of expectations, arguing that two of government's flagship promises—the 24-Hour Economy and Nkoko Nkitinkiti programme—were conspicuously absent. The opposition insists the review failed to address key concerns about job creation and economic transformation, while the Majority maintains critics have misunderstood the purpose of the mid-year review.
Tonight, we bring you:
Government's defence of its economic performance The Finance Minister's key announcements Why the Minority describes the review as uninspiring The debate over the missing 24-Hour Economy and Nkoko Nkitinkiti programmes Expert analysis of what the Mid-Year Budget means for Ghanaians and the economy
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