2026 Budget in Focus: Key Sectoral Allocations

As Ghana transitions from economic stabilization to acceleration in 2026, the government has unveiled a bold budget aimed at transforming lives across the country. Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, during his budget presentation to Parliament, emphasized that the allocations are designed to turn confidence into tangible improvements in daily life, from 24-hour economy markets to health facilities and rural electrification.

Key Highlights from 2026 Budget: Resource Allocations

1. 24-Hour Economy: GH¢110 million allocated to expand productivity, exports, and jobs; leveraging GIIF/DBG and private capital to reduce burden on sovereign finances.
   
2. Agriculture & Food Security:
   
   • GH¢245 million to Ministry of Food & Agriculture (Feed Ghana, Nkoko Nkitinkiti, grains & vegetables).
     
   • GH¢6.9 billion Oil Palm finance window for nurseries, out-growers, land-bank activation, smallholder inclusion, and local processing.
     
   • GH¢828 million for 1,000 km of agricultural roads.
     
   • GH¢690 million for operationalization of Farmer Service Centres.
     
   • GH¢200 million to Ghana Buffer Stock Company.
     
   • GH¢100 million for aquaculture development.
     
3. Energy Sector:
   
   • GH¢2 billion for Phase I of Rural Electricity Acceleration & Urban Intensification Initiative.
     
   • GH¢15.2 billion for energy sector shortfall payments.
     
   • GH¢4.8 billion for legacy IPP debt.
     
4. Roads & Infrastructure:
   
   • GH¢4.3 billion for Ministry of Roads & Highways.
     
   • GH¢3 billion to Road Maintenance Trust Fund (166 constituencies).
     
   • GH¢30 billion for Big Push Infrastructure Programme (strategic roads & bridges).
     
5. Education:
   
   • GH¢33.3 billion to Ministry of Education; GH¢9.9 billion to GETFund.
     
   • GH¢4.2 billion for Free Secondary Education.
     
   • GH¢1.1 billion for Ghana Secondary Learning Improvement Programme (GSLIP).
     
   • GH¢537 million for “No-Fee-Stress” policy.
     
   • GH¢25 million for Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities.
     
   • GH¢3 billion for textbooks, desks, buses, and school furniture.
     
   • GH¢2 billion for construction of 200 new JHS, 200 primary schools, 200 kindergartens, 400 teacher bungalows, 400 toilets.
     
   • GH¢157 million for Capitation Grants; GH¢1.98 billion for School Feeding Programme; GH¢292 million for free sanitary pads.
     
   • GH¢207 million for Teacher Trainee Allowances; GH¢169 million for BECE registration.
     
6. Health:
   
   • GH¢9 billion for NHIS claims, essential medicines, vaccines, Free Primary Healthcare.
     
   • GH¢2.3 billion to Ghana Medical Care Trust (MahamaCares).
     
   • GH¢474 million for Nursing Trainee Allowances.
     
   • GH¢600 million for three new regional hospitals.
     
   • GH¢79 million to upgrade seven hospitals and enhance maternal/child health.
     
   • GH¢100 million to complete 10 Agenda 111 hospital projects.
     
7. Social Protection & SMEs:
   
   • GH¢1.1 billion for LEAP programme.
     
   • GH¢401 million to Women’s Development Bank.
     
   • GH¢170 million for National Apprenticeship Programme.
     
   • GH¢100 million for National Coders Programme; GH¢160 million for Adwumawura enterprise support.
     
   • GH¢100 million for monthly allowances to Assembly Members.
     
   • GH¢8.9 billion to District Assemblies Common Fund, 80% flowing directly to assemblies for priority projects (24-Hour Economy markets, health, education, water, sanitation, furniture, legacy projects).
     
8. Other Key Allocations:
   
   • GH¢207 million for GDP & CPI rebasing and surveys.
     
   • GH¢150 million for National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS).
     
   • GH¢20 million to Film Fund; GH¢20 million to Creative Arts Fund.
     
   • GH¢400 million for Integrated Recycling & Compost Plant (IRECOP).
     
   • GH¢100 million for fishing markets; GH¢50 million for fishing nets & outboard motors.
     
   • GH¢500 million for District Housing including Akosombo Dam resettlements.
     
   • GH¢200 million for mini stadiums; GH¢150 million for fire tenders/equipment; GH¢150 million for Black Stars World Cup participation.
     
9. Job Creation Targets:
   
   • 800,000 new jobs projected.
     
   • GH¢63 billion Big Push road contracts expected to generate ~490,000 jobs.
     
   • Three garment factories: 20,000 jobs.
     
   • Seven agro-processing plants: ~700 direct jobs + supply chain employment.
     
   • National Policy on Integrated Oil Palm Development: 250,000 jobs.
     
   • Farmer Service Centres: thousands in machinery, maintenance, logistics.
     
10. Private Sector Support:
    
    • National Investment Bank, ADB, and CBG recapitalized with GH¢1 billion.
      
    • GH¢401 million to Women’s Development Bank for small businesses and entrepreneurs like Lamisi Adam, Priscilla Yovu, Caroline Sfeir.