Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin wrapped up the 2026 budget debate with a denunciation of the government, accusing the Presidency of engaging in excessive and unjustifiable spending while neglecting critical sectors of the economy.
He stated that the expenditure at the Presidency has skyrocketed to over GH¢1.5 billion, all while failing to assist the private sector. “The Presidency alone indulges in this luxury,” Afenyo-Markin declared, warning that the administration continues to burden Ghanaians with taxes while remaining insulated in comfort.
In his closing remarks on behalf of the Minority caucus on Thursday, he stressed that while ordinary citizens are struggling with soaring living costs, the government remains utterly detached from these harsh economic realities.
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Afenyo-Markin also harshly condemned the much-touted Women’s Bank initiative, insisting that the allocation of GH¢401 million for its establishment is misleading, as the funds merely satisfy the minimum capital requirements.
“If you say you are providing 400 million to establish the Women’s Bank, what money are you going to use to provide loans? Again, you have deceived the women of this country,” he insisted, calling the policy hollow and politically engineered.
Afenyo-Markin accused the government of repeatedly using the ’24-hour economy’ slogan without presenting clear policy measures, actionable incentives, or sector-specific plans.
Every paragraph of the budget, he said, is preceded by the slogan 24-hour economy. “Which is which? What does it mean? Where are the variables, the reforms, the incentives?” he questioned.
He pointed out that instead of incentivizing night-shift industries, the government has rather increased electricity tariffs by 18%, undermining businesses already struggling to stay afloat.
The Minority Leader also launched a scathing attack on the government’s Gold Board initiative, citing warnings from prominent experts.
He claimed that Professor Adei has warned that the Gold Board will become a state laundering mechanism for galamsey gold. He lamented that the government is not fighting illegal mining but rather financing it.
He emphasised that the state cannot trace the gold it purchases, describing the system as a horrifying betrayal of security personnel who died fighting illegal mining.
Addressing the ongoing sanitary pad controversy, Afenyo-Markin alleged manipulation of pricing and budgeting.
He cited discrepancies between the Finance Ministry’s claim of GH¢15 per pad and the Education Ministry’s GH¢45 per pad submission.
“The gap of GH¢193 million raises serious questions. Where did this money go?” he demanded, describing the situation as “a major scandal that the government must explain.”
Turning to Ghana’s public debt, Afenyo-Markin accused the government of flip-flopping on the debt exchange programme.
“You told the people it was bad, yet today you are taking credit for the same debt exchange, praising it before the IMF and World Bank. When you meet foot soldiers, you lie to them. You will be exposed,” he said.
The Minority leader declared the 2026 Budget a threat to Ghana’s economic stability. “This budget must be rejected — not out of spite but out of duty, to defend the future and to stop another era of reckless governance,” he told the House.
He accused the government of lacking direction, clarity, and moral authority to manage the economy. “Every single thing they say, they do the opposite. They have abandoned job creation and prioritized buying an aircraft for the President. They are a government of double standards.”
He vowed that the Minority would hold the government’s feet to the fire until accountability is restored.