Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has criticised Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson over the 2027 Budget Statement, describing it as a “no-hope budget” that fails to offer meaningful prospects for Ghanaians.
Speaking to the media after the presentation of the 2027 Budget Statement and Economic Policy on Thursday, November 12, Afenyo-Markin said the expressions and demeanour of some members of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) during the presentation reflected a lack of confidence in the budget.
He observed that while some members of the Majority wore white, others were dressed in black, green and blue, which he interpreted as signs of low morale.
According to him, the budget has exposed the NDC government’s failure to deliver on several campaign promises, particularly those aimed at improving the livelihoods of women, traders and ordinary Ghanaians.
Afenyo-Markin questioned the government’s commitment to its proposed 24-hour economy policy and the establishment of a women’s bank, arguing that neither initiative received adequate attention in the 2027 Budget.
“The NDC that promised a 24-hour economy, that promised women a new bank to offer them loans, today it is clear that the NDC could not fulfil its own promises to the women and traders of this country,” he said.
He further questioned why the proposed women’s bank, which he said had featured in the government’s previous budget statements, was not mentioned in the latest fiscal plan.
He recalled that the government had indicated in its 2025 and 2026 budgets that it would establish a dedicated bank to provide financial support to women, but said the 2027 Budget made no reference to the initiative.
“Where is the women’s banking? They didn’t even talk about it. Meanwhile, in the 2025 Budget, they said they were going to establish a new bank. In 2026, too, they said the same thing, but in 2027 they were quiet. The Minister didn’t talk about it,” he stated.
The Minority Leader also criticised the government’s job creation agenda, questioning the implementation of its promise to create employment through a 24-hour economy, which he said was presented as a policy that would allow one job to be shared across three shifts.
He described the NDC government as “sloganarian”, arguing that its budget had failed to provide concrete measures to address unemployment and create opportunities for the youth.
Afenyo-Markin disclosed that the Minority would soon present a comprehensive assessment of the 2027 Budget to highlight what it considers the government’s shortcomings and broken promises.
