ACCRA, Ghana – The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has declared that the upcoming 2026 national budget must serve as a definitive instrument for fundamentally transforming Ghana’s economy and weaning the nation off its dependence on external support.
Speaking with conviction at a Post-Budget Workshop in Accra, the Speaker framed the budget as a critical "roadmap for self-reliance and long-term growth," challenging the government and his fellow legislators to rise above business-as-usual fiscal management.
In a statement that captured the core of his address, Bagbin invoked a powerful adage that resonates across the continent. “A common refrain echoes across Africa: ‘Africa is not poor, it is poorly managed, and the budget is the clearest expression of that management,’” he stated. “At this pivotal moment, our budget must serve as a primary instrument for transforming Ghana’s economic paradigm.”
The Speaker’s remarks underscore a growing imperative for Ghana to build internal economic resilience amidst global uncertainties and fluctuating foreign aid. He demanded that the policies and figures within the budget document have a singular focus.
“The policies contained in this budget must steer us away from dependency towards a resilient, domestically driven economy,” Bagbin asserted, signaling a need for a strategic shift in national priorities.
Concluding his address with a sense of urgency, the Speaker pointed to empirical evidence as the final justification for immediate and decisive action. “Honorable members, data tells a clear and urgent story,” he said. “Reform cannot wait.”
This forceful positioning from the head of the legislature sets the stage for a rigorous and highly scrutinized budget approval process later this year. It places immense pressure on the Executive to present a fiscal plan that moves beyond mere revenue and expenditure calculations to articulate a clear, actionable strategy for achieving genuine economic sovereignty.
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