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Finance Minister to Present 2026 Budget to Parliament on November 13
Finance Minister Dr. Ato Forson is expected to present the 2026 Budget Statement and Economic Policy to Parliament on November 13, Joy Business has learned from sources close to the process.
The proposed date—subject to parliamentary approval—will mark the government’s first major budget presentation since winning the 2024 elections and assuming full control of economic management over the past nine months.
Analysts note that the 2025 Budget was largely guided by the framework established by the previous administration.
Under the Public Financial Management Act, the Finance Minister, on behalf of the President, must present the national budget to Parliament no later than November 15 each year.
According to sources, the Ministry of Finance has completed multiple rounds of stakeholder engagements and consultations to finalize the key policies and programmes to be featured in the 2026 Budget.
Key Expectations
Dr. Forson has earlier indicated that the 2026 Budget will prioritize job creation and economic growth stimulation.
Sources suggest new tax and revenue reform measures will be introduced to improve collection efficiency and create a more supportive business environment.
The Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Anthony Sarpong, has disclosed that the budget will include a review of the Value Added Tax (VAT), with the effective rate expected to be reduced from 22% to 20%.
This reduction forms part of broader efforts to simplify the VAT system and make it more business-friendly.
In addition, Dr. Forson is expected to review certain tax levies, including the COVID-19 levy, as part of government efforts to ease the tax burden on households and businesses.
With Ghana projected to exit the IMF programme in May 2026, attention will focus on how the government plans to manage the post-programme economy.
The 2026 Budget is therefore expected to be a defining policy document, outlining strategies for fiscal discipline, growth, and macroeconomic stability in the post-IMF era.
Economists and industry players will also be watching closely to see how Dr. Forson intends to manage expenditure and the fiscal deficit while sustaining confidence in Ghana’s economic recovery.
