Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has dismissed the 2026 Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review presented by Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, describing the document as lacking concrete solutions to the economic challenges facing Ghanaians.
The Effutu MP, reacting to the presentation on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, accused the government of making claims without delivering the necessary policy interventions to improve the lives of citizens.
According to him, the success of a Finance Minister should not be judged by the volume of public expenditure announced but by the impact of those investments on the economy.
“The true measure of a Finance Minister is not how much he spends,” Mr Afenyo-Markin stated.
He also raised concerns over what he described as inconsistencies in government’s expenditure figures, particularly regarding funds released to the Roads Ministry.
The Minority Leader cited an earlier statement by the Deputy Finance Minister that GH¢1.6 billion had been allocated to the Roads Minister, contrasting it with Dr Ato Forson’s figure of GH¢1.1 billion presented during the review.
“You see, you are suffering and you’ve been redundant in your various ministries. His Deputy Minister told the nation that GH¢1.6 billion was released to the Roads Minister. Today, he says only GH¢1.1 billion,” he said.
Mr Afenyo-Markin further criticised the government’s handling of the cocoa sector, arguing that the mid-year review failed to introduce any major policy measures to address the difficulties confronting farmers.
He said millions of cocoa farmers continue to face hardships and accused the Finance Minister, who also supervises the sector, of failing to provide the needed leadership.
“Throughout his review, there was no policy announcement for the cocoa sector. The four million cocoa farmers are suffering. This Finance Minister, since he took over as the supervising minister responsible for cocoa, we have seen suffering and wailing, and he comes here to lament,” he said.
The Minority Leader also revisited the government’s Gold for Reserves programme, claiming that the administration ignored warnings from the Minority about concerns surrounding charges under the policy.
He alleged that the government’s decision eventually led to financial losses after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) pushed for a reduction in charges from 15 per cent to nine per cent, while the Bank of Ghana later announced its withdrawal from the programme.
“What he has forgotten is that he refused good counsel from the Minority. When GoldBod and Bank of Ghana charges on the Gold for Reserves policy was at 15%, we cautioned him. He didn’t listen,” Mr Afenyo-Markin said.
“Later, the IMF forced them to reduce it to 9%. Three days ago, the Governor announced that he was no more going to participate in this Gold for Reserves. It’s too late today. You’ve already incurred losses of GH¢9.6 billion. That is what the IMF told you. And you come here saying prudent management of the economy. Really?” he questioned.
Concluding his assessment of the Finance Minister’s presentation, Mr Afenyo-Markin delivered a sharp verdict on the mid-year review.
“Mr Speaker, this review is full of English with empty promises,” Afenyo-Markin said.
