Finance Minister Dr Ato Forson is scheduled to present the 2026 Budget Statement and Economic Policy to Parliament on Wednesday, November 13, 2025, sources close to the preparation process have revealed.
The proposed date, pending parliamentary approval, will mark the government’s first full budget presentation since securing victory in the 2024 general elections and assuming office for nearly nine months.
Observers note that the 2025 Budget largely operated within the policy framework left by the previous administration. The upcoming 2026 Budget, however, is expected to reflect the Mahama administration’s independent fiscal direction and long-term economic vision.
In accordance with the Public Financial Management Act, the Finance Minister—representing the President—must submit the national budget to Parliament by November 15 each year.
Sources within the Finance Ministry indicate that multiple rounds of stakeholder consultations and policy discussions have been concluded, paving the way for the final drafting of the 2026 Budget.
Focus Areas and Expectations
Dr Forson has previously emphasized that the 2026 Budget will be anchored on job creation, economic revitalization, and inclusive growth.
Insiders suggest that the document will introduce comprehensive tax reforms aimed at boosting revenue while reducing the burden on citizens and businesses.
The Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Anthony Sarpong, recently disclosed that the Budget will include a review of the Value Added Tax (VAT), with the rate expected to drop from 22% to 20%.
According to officials, the adjustment is part of a broader effort to simplify the VAT system and make it more business-friendly, particularly for small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs).
Dr Forson is also expected to review several existing levies, including the COVID-19 levy, in line with the government’s commitment to creating a fairer and more efficient tax regime.
Post-IMF Outlook
With Ghana projected to exit the IMF programme by May 2026, significant attention will be on how the government intends to navigate the post-IMF fiscal landscape.
Economists and industry players will be closely watching how the Finance Minister plans to balance expenditure control, deficit management, and economic expansion while maintaining macroeconomic stability.
The 2026 Budget is, therefore, shaping up to be one of the most consequential fiscal blueprints of the administration—setting the tone for Ghana’s economic recovery, investment climate, and growth trajectory beyond the IMF-supported period.
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