The Ghanaian government seeks to spend at least 302.5 billion Ghana cedis (27.5 billion U.S. dollars) in executing its fiscal policy in 2026, a 12.4 percent increase from the estimated 269.1 billion cedis for 2025. This statement was made by Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson late Thursday.
Forson said in the 2026 budget statement in parliament that the projected expenditure is also equivalent to 18.9 percent of GDP, with targeted allocations towards capital expenditure to fund flagship programs.
The minister said primary expenditure, which excludes interest payments, would amount to 244.7 billion cedis, or 15.3 percent of GDP, reflecting targeted spending that drives growth and delivers value.
“Mr. Speaker, this fiscal framework is not just a set of numbers; it is a roadmap for sustained stability and inclusive growth,” the minister noted, adding that 57.5 billion cedis (5.2 billion dollars) would be spent on capital expenditure.
Out of the projected capital expenditure, he said 30 billion cedis is earmarked for the flagship ‘Big Push Infrastructure program.’ aimed at accelerating key national infrastructure projects, including roads, energy, water systems, and digital connectivity, designed to have a high impact on economic activity.
The government also expects to spend 57.7 billion cedis on interest payments after Ghana completed bilateral debt treatment agreements with its bilateral creditors.
To finance the expenditure, Forson said the government projected to raise at least 268.1 billion cedis through revenue and grants.
The minister emphasized that the 2026 budget represents the next phase of the country’s national renewal, a practical, forward-looking plan to consolidate gains, accelerate transformation, and secure prosperity for all Ghanaians.
“The task before us now is to turn that stability into sustained progress and to make growth felt in every home, every community, and every enterprise,” he added.
The West African cocoa, gold, and crude oil exporter has seen a significant recovery in 2025, owing to the reforms introduced in May 2023, backed by a 3-billion-dollar loan from the International Monetary Fund to arrest the crumbling economy and reverse the macroeconomic collapse through fiscal discipline and debt sustainability.