Ayariga questions NDC’s 2026 economic performance ahead of 2027 Budget

The Founder and Leader of the All People’s Congress (APC), Dr Hassan Abdulai Ayariga, has called on the government to provide clear explanations for funding shortfalls, unemployment and implementation gaps in some of its flagship economic programmes ahead of the presentation of the 2027 Budget.

In an assessment of the NDC government’s economic performance in 2026, Dr Ayariga acknowledged improvements in macroeconomic stability, inflation and revenue mobilisation but argued that these gains must translate into better living conditions and more opportunities for ordinary Ghanaians.

He said the country’s economic progress should not be measured solely by budget announcements and macroeconomic indicators but by improvements in employment, public services, infrastructure, domestic production and household incomes.

Dr Ayariga noted that the government’s fiscal consolidation efforts had contributed to a decline in the fiscal deficit during the first half of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025.

He also acknowledged the primary fiscal surplus recorded during the period and the significant reduction in inflation, describing them as important developments towards restoring fiscal credibility and supporting debt sustainability.

However, he cautioned that lower inflation did not necessarily mean prices had fallen or that households were experiencing improved purchasing power.

He also observed that although revenue collections had improved compared with the corresponding period in 2025, they remained below programmed targets.

Concerns over budget implementation

A major concern raised by the APC leader was the gap between approved budget allocations and actual government expenditure.

Citing Bank of Ghana reporting, he said government expenditure in the first half of 2026 was approximately 24.9 per cent below its programmed target, with capital expenditure also falling short.

He said the figures raised questions about the timely release of funds to ministries, departments and agencies to implement approved programmes.

According to him, delayed or inadequate releases could affect the delivery of essential services and the implementation of projects in healthcare, education, agriculture, road construction and water infrastructure.

Dr Ayariga, however, cautioned against automatically attributing the expenditure shortfall to a refusal by the Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, to release funds, noting that revenue constraints, procurement processes and delays in project implementation could also contribute.

He called on the Ministry of Finance to publish a comprehensive report detailing the amounts allocated, released and spent by each ministry in 2026.

Questions 24-hour economy implementation

Dr Ayariga also questioned the implementation of the government’s 24-hour economy programme, saying its success must be assessed through actual investments, operational projects, job creation and increased production.

He acknowledged that the government had announced investment agreements and that some businesses had introduced additional operating shifts.

However, he expressed concern that officials associated with the programme had acknowledged in October 2026 that a comprehensive verified figure for jobs created was not yet available.

He argued that extending business operating hours alone would not deliver the intended economic transformation without reliable electricity, affordable financing, industrial infrastructure, security and access to markets.

He therefore urged the government to publish a detailed implementation report showing investments made, financing disbursed, projects operationalised, jobs created and increases in production.

The APC leader also raised questions about the proposed US$10 billion New Economy programme, asking the government to explain how it differs from the 24-hour economy and how the two initiatives would complement each other.

Calls for Ghanaian participation in strategic investments

On foreign investment, Dr Ayariga said Ghana needed international partnerships, capital and technology but must ensure that such investments provide adequate benefits to the country.

He called for a national review of major strategic concessions and public-private partnership agreements to establish their beneficiaries, duration, financial obligations, expected revenue and commitments to Ghanaian participation and employment.

He stressed that the objective should not be to discourage foreign investment but to ensure that it strengthens domestic capacity rather than creating long-term dependence on external ownership and financing.

He further urged the government to improve access to long-term financing, industrial land, affordable electricity and procurement opportunities for Ghanaian businesses.

Agriculture, water and cost of living

Dr Ayariga identified agriculture as a critical pillar of economic development and called for increased investment in irrigation, mechanisation, storage facilities, agricultural roads and food processing.

He said the 2027 Budget should establish stronger links between agriculture, industrialisation, employment and export development.

He also called for a properly costed national water security programme, including an assessment of the reported US$60 million emergency financing requirement for Ghana Water Limited.

According to him, investment in water treatment plants, distribution pipelines, reservoirs and the maintenance of existing facilities was essential to addressing the country’s water supply challenges.

On household welfare, he urged the government to introduce measures that address transportation, housing, utilities, education, healthcare and the cost of doing business while maintaining fiscal discipline.

Seven priorities for 2027 Budget

As an alternative approach, Dr Ayariga proposed seven priorities for the 2027 Budget: productive employment, Ghanaian enterprise development, reliable infrastructure, agricultural transformation, public financial accountability, strategic resource governance and measurable government performance.

He said major national programmes should be required to publish clear objectives, funding arrangements, implementation timelines and independently verifiable results.

The APC leader also posed 10 questions to President John Dramani Mahama and the Finance Minister ahead of the Budget presentation.

Among them were how much of the 2026 approved budget had been released to each ministry, the number of sustainable jobs created under the 24-hour economy and the amount of announced investment that had actually been disbursed and translated into operational projects.

He also sought clarity on safeguards for Ghanaian participation in strategic concessions, infrastructure projects completed during 2026 and funding arrangements to address water supply challenges.

Dr Ayariga said the 2027 Budget presented an opportunity for the government to address gaps in implementation and place employment, domestic enterprise development, infrastructure, agricultural productivity and accountability at the centre of its economic programme.

He maintained that the government should be recognised for measurable improvements while being held accountable for areas where promised outcomes remained unverified.

Dr. Hassan Ayariga’s Assessment of NDC 2026 Ach

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