The Minority caucus has indicated that it will oppose any attempt by Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson to obtain additional financial approvals during today’s presentation of the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review.
Contributing to proceedings on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, July 22, First Deputy Minority Whip and Tolon MP Habib Iddrisu maintained that the government should instead use the budget review to account for its campaign pledges, address outstanding payments to contractors and update the House on the progress of its flagship initiatives.
The Minority maintained that Parliament has already authorised significant funding for the government, arguing that there is no compelling reason for it to return to the House to request additional financial resources at this time.
According to the Minority, Parliament has already approved substantial funding for the government, and there is no justification for seeking additional resources at this stage.
“If the Finance Minister comes to this House tomorrow, we will scrutinise every line of his statement and budget. We urge him not to come asking for more money because we will not approve any additional funds after the resources that have already been made available,” Mr. Iddrisu said.
He further argued that the government’s immediate priority should be clearing arrears owed to local contractors.
“What Ghanaians expect from the Finance Minister is a clear plan to pay Ghanaian contractors. They have not been paid, they are suffering, and there is no money in the system,” he added.
The Minority also criticised the government’s progress on key campaign commitments, alleging that several flagship initiatives had yet to materialise.
Referring to the government’s proposed 24-hour economy, the Women’s Bank, the 133 initiative, and payments to contractors, the caucus claimed the promises had not been fulfilled.
“The jobs they promised Ghanaian youth, including NDC youth, exist only on paper. The 24-hour economy—‘Yamutu’. The Women’s Bank—‘Yamutu’. The 133 initiative—‘Yamutu’. Paying contractors—‘Yamutu’,” the Minority stated.
The remarks come ahead of the presentation of the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review, which is expected to provide an update on the country’s economic performance and the government’s fiscal outlook for the remainder of the year.