THE MID-YEAR BUDGET HAS A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON GHANA'S ECONOMY"

Ghana's 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review is scheduled to be presented to Parliament on July 23, 2026, by the Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson. The presentation is in accordance with the Public Financial Management Act, which requires a mid-year assessment of the country's economic performance and fiscal outlook. The review follows the 2026 National Budget, which was presented to Parliament on November 13, 2025, and outlined the following fiscal targets: - Total projected expenditure: GH¢302.5 billion - Projected revenue: GH¢268.1 billion - Fiscal deficit: 2.2% of GDP on a commitment basis - Total public debt stock: GH¢674.1 billion as of February 2026 Speaking in a telephone interview with Nana Nhyiraba Kwabena Asirifi on ICAD TV's Ghana Nti Morning Show, economist Samson Anomah underscored the importance of the mid-year budget review, describing it as a vital tool for assessing the government's performance during the first half of the fiscal year. According to Mr. Anomah, the review promotes accountability and transparency by enabling the government to evaluate its progress, identify challenges, and determine areas that require improvement. He explained that the exercise also allows the government to reassess funding levels for projects and revise budget allocations where necessary. «"This allows the government to be flexible and make changes to the budget, whether by reducing or increasing allocations," he said.» Mr. Anomah, however, cautioned that the value of the mid-year review depends on the implementation of its recommendations. He argued that if the budget review is presented without meaningful execution of its proposals, the exercise becomes ineffective and amounts to a waste of time and public resources. Edited by Deborah Naaki Dowuona.