The Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has criticised the government’s 2027 Budget, arguing that claims of economic stability have failed to translate into lower food prices, job creation and relief for struggling businesses.
Addressing journalists on Thursday, November 12, after Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson presented the budget to Parliament, Afenyo-Markin accused the government of relying on political slogans instead of practical solutions.
“Stability on paper, hardship in our pockets,” he declared.
He said food prices remain high in markets across the country, including Techiman, Tamale, Kumasi Asafo, Winneba Central and Makola. He also questioned government support for farmers and cocoa producers, arguing that locally produced staples remain expensive despite improvements in the country’s economic indicators.
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Rejecting the Finance Minister’s appeal for patience, Afenyo-Markin said Ghanaians expected tangible improvements in employment and living conditions after two years of the NDC administration.
“The NDC cannot rebrand unemployment. They cannot slogan away the cost of living,” he stated.
The Minority Leader also demanded clarity on the government’s US$10 billion New Economy Programme, questioning its relationship with the 24-hour economy policy.
He said the government has failed to explain how much of the proposed investment would be available for expenditure in 2027 and the specific projects it would finance.
“They also failed to tell us how much will be expended in 2027 and the specific projects this will finance for proper tracking,” he said.
Afenyo-Markin welcomed the government’s stated ability to meet its obligations under the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme but questioned the availability of funds to pay public sector workers and recruit additional personnel.
He demanded answers on payments to the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG), teachers and nurses.
“But the question is that where is the money to pay JUSAG, the money to pay teachers, the money to pay nurses, and the money to recruit?” he asked.
He challenged the government to provide figures on jobs created, insisting that Ghanaians want employment opportunities rather than economic statistics.
“It is not data that Ghanaians are going to consume. Ghanaians want jobs, jobs, jobs,” he added.
The Minority Leader also questioned the absence of the proposed women’s bank from the latest budget presentation and warned that high electricity costs and inadequate incentives could undermine private sector growth.
“Without the private sector, the economy cannot grow,” he said.
Afenyo-Markin said the Minority would conduct a further assessment of the budget after the parliamentary budget workshop.