George Kweku Ricketts-Hagan, Deputy Majority Leader, has urged parliamentarians to carefully examine the 2026 Budget in order to ensure that national resources are used effectively and responsibly and to ensure value for money.
Speaking at a Post-Budget Workshop in Accra, Ricketts-Hagan emphasised that legislators have an obligation to make sure that the budget takes into account Ghanaians’ needs and goals in addition to economic prudence.
He stated, “As representatives of the people, our duty is to ensure that the budget reflects not only fiscal prudence but also the aspirations and needs of the citizenry,”
“We as parliamentarians must therefore scrutinise the budget thoroughly, ensuring that allocations are equitable, realistic and results-oriented.”
He highlighted that delivering national growth, generating opportunities, and guaranteeing value for money in the use of public resources are shared responsibilities of the Executive and Parliament.
“The 2026 budget is also a call to collective action. It challenges us to think innovatively about how to grow our economy sustainably, how to expand the tax base without overburdening our citizenry, and how to deliver essential public services more effectively.” he said.
Under the theme “Resetting for Growth, Jobs, and Economic Transformation,” Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson presented President John Dramani Mahama’s 2026 Budget, which outlines a transition from recovery to transformation. It emphasises maintaining fiscal restraint, increasing job creation through infrastructure and agricultural investment, and enhancing education, healthcare, and security to support inclusive growth.
Additionally presented to Parliament were a number of legislative measures, such as the Value for Money Bill, the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, and the repeal of the COVID-19 Health Recovery Levy.
In the meanwhile, the Minority has called on MPs to approach the budget cooperatively, emphasising the necessity of workable solutions and a people-centered approach to national spending.
Source: newsthemegh.com