Ato Forson explains why he is not starving the economy

Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has highlighted billions of cedis spent by government across key sectors, rejecting claims that the administration has failed to inject enough resources into the economy.

His comments follow criticism from the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), which has questioned whether the government’s fiscal management approach is translating into tangible improvements for households and businesses.

The critics have argued that although some economic indicators appear to be improving, many Ghanaians and businesses continue to face financial difficulties and have yet to experience the impact of the recovery.

However, presenting the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review in Parliament on Thursday, July 23, Dr Forson said government has maintained disciplined spending while directing resources towards priority areas to support economic growth and national development.

He noted that public expenditure has been channelled into critical sectors including public sector compensation, debt servicing, healthcare, education, infrastructure projects and social protection programmes.

“In the spirit of transparency and accountability, allow me to lay before this House a clear account of some of the expenditure we have made so far in support of government programmes across sectors approved in the 2026 Budget,” he told Parliament.

Dr Forson said the spending record demonstrates government’s commitment to ensuring that public funds are efficiently utilised to support economic recovery, protect vulnerable citizens and advance key development objectives.

He maintained that the government’s expenditure decisions reflect a balance between fiscal responsibility and the need to provide support to sectors that drive economic activity and improve living conditions.

Sector / Programme Expenditure Paid
Compensation of public sector workers (including SSNIT and Tier 2 Pension Scheme contributions) GH¢48.8 billion
Domestic debt interest payments GH¢21.5 billion
Eurobond debt service and interest $700 million
Payments to domestic bondholders GH¢10 billion
District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) GH¢4.4 billion
National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) GH¢4.5 billion
MahamaCares (specialised healthcare support) GH¢1.1 billion
GETFund (education support) GH¢4.2 billion
Free Secondary Education Programme GH¢1.8 billion
Road Maintenance Trust Fund GH¢1.7 billion
Youth Employment Agency (YEA) GH¢459 million
Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) GH¢961 million
Mineral Development Fund GH¢458 million
Energy sector (stable power supply) GH¢7.1 billion
Clearance of legacy government arrears GH¢5.3 billion
Capitation Grant GH¢76 million
Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) beneficiaries GH¢485 million
Ghana School Feeding Programme GH¢877 million
BECE registration support GH¢46 million
No Fees Stress Policy (tertiary education support) GH¢537 million
Teacher Trainee Allowance GH¢104 million
Nursing Trainee Allowance GH¢144 million
Assembly Members' Allowance GH¢93 million
National Apprenticeship Programme GH¢45 million
Ghana's participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup GH¢58 million
IRECOP (environmental sustainability support) GH¢477.4 million
Ministry of Food and Agriculture flagship programmes (Food Buffer Stock, fertiliser, certified seeds, Feed Ghana, irrigation) GH¢1.1 billion
Farmer Service Centres (escrow account for letter of credit) GH¢551 million
Capital Expenditure GH¢11.5 billion
Big Push Infrastructure Programme GH¢6.5 billion
Ministry of Education goods and services (including sanitary pads) GH¢915 million
General government goods and services GH¢7.9 billion
National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) GH¢16 million

   Comments0