The Member of Parliament (MP)
for Tano North, Gideon Boako, has accused the Finance Minister of engaging in excessive fiscal consolidation that is undermining growth and depriving critical sectors of essential resources.
Contributing to the debate on the 2026 Budget, he argued that the drastic expenditure cuts were designed “just to let the books look good at the expense of the good people of Ghana.”
According to him, this is not fiscal discipline but “fiscal indiscipline.”
Dr. Boako pointed to major reductions in expenditure across key budget categories.
He noted that goods and services spending had been cut by 44 percent, while capital expenditure saw a 66 percent decline in the first three quarters.
“This is a gap of about US$1.1 billion of public investment the government has denied Ghanaians,” he said.
The lawmaker also said the shortfalls in programmed spending for 2025 showed that resources were not delivered to priority areas.
“It is very evident that resources were not delivered to the intended priority areas to ensure real sector growth,” he stated.
He added that the effects of the cuts were being felt nationwide, as ministries lacked the funds to fulfil their mandates.
Dr. Boako further suggested that ministers themselves were unhappy with the situation.
“Your own ministers are not happy with you because they also have integrity,” he remarked, quoting a popular line: “They are government officials and they have integrity.”
He urged the Finance Minister to redirect focus toward real growth rather than cosmetic fiscal outcomes.
“The ship for Ghana’s economic emancipation must be set sail now,” he declared.
