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Gov't Gets Green Light to Spend GH¢357.1bn After Parliament Passes Appropriation Bill

Ghana’s Parliament concluded an extended period of scrutiny on Friday, December 19, 2025, by passing the 2026 Appropriation Bill.

Date Created : 12/19/2025 : Story Author : Ghanandistricts.com

The legislation authorizes the Minister for Finance to spend over GH¢357.1 billion to fund government operations and development programs in the coming financial year. This approval fulfills a constitutional requirement that all estimates of public expenditure be presented to Parliament for authorization before funds are withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund.

The vote marked the culmination of nearly five weeks of intense debate on the 2026 Budget Statement and Economic Policy. Throughout this period, Members of Parliament from both sides of the aisle thoroughly examined the government’s fiscal priorities, revenue strategies, and detailed expenditure plans, setting the stage for the final appropriation.

Moving the motion for the bill’s passage, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson thanked lawmakers for what he termed a “vigorous and in-depth” debate. He acknowledged that the extensive discussions reflected Parliament’s dedication to ensuring fiscal discipline, accountability, and value for money in public spending.

Dr. Forson emphasized that many concerns and suggestions raised by MPs during the deliberations had helped refine the government’s spending focus for the year ahead. “The debates over the past six weeks have been robust and constructive,” he stated, adding that they underscored a shared responsibility to restore macroeconomic stability and steer Ghana toward sustainable growth.

During the bill’s consideration, MPs closely evaluated allocations to critical sectors such as education, health, roads—including major infrastructure projects under the “Big Push” initiative—energy, and social protection. These examinations were set against the backdrop of Ghana’s ongoing economic recovery efforts and broader fiscal consolidation measures.

While the Majority argued that the budget and appropriation align with the government’s wider economic reset agenda, Minority MPs voiced reservations. Their concerns centered on the realism of revenue projections, the burden of debt servicing costs, and the potential impact of certain spending decisions on ordinary citizens.

Despite these differing perspectives, the bill ultimately secured passage by consensus. This bipartisan agreement provides the necessary legal authority for the government to withdraw funds from the Consolidated Fund to meet its operational needs and statutory obligations across all ministries, departments, and agencies.

With the Appropriation Act now in place, the full implementation of the 2026 budget is set to proceed starting January 1, 2026. The passage concludes the legislative phase of the budget process, allowing the government to execute its planned programs and expenditures for the fiscal year.