Government spent GH¢53 million in the first half of 2026 to support the Black Stars’ preparations for the FIFA World Cup, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has announced.
Presenting the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review in Parliament, the Minister said the expenditure formed part of government spending on goods and services during the review period.
He stated that the allocation was intended to finance the national team’s preparations for the global football tournament, although he did not provide a detailed breakdown of the expenditure.
Dr. Forson made the disclosure while outlining expenditure performance for the first six months of the year, noting that government had continued to finance key sectors alongside efforts to restore fiscal discipline under its economic recovery programme.
The Minister said total expenditure, including the clearance of arrears, amounted to GH¢173.4 billion, representing 13.8 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), compared with a target of GH¢181.8 billion.
He said expenditure, excluding the clearance of arrears, stood at GH¢169.5 billion, equivalent to 13.5 percent of GDP, and was below the programmed target of GH¢177.9 billion.
According to him, compensation of employees reached GH¢42.7 billion against a target of GH¢42.5 billion, while the use of goods and services amounted to GH¢8.8 billion, compared with a target of GH¢9.9 billion.
Dr. Forson said interest payments totalled GH¢20.2 billion, lower than the programmed GH¢26.1 billion, reflecting reduced domestic borrowing costs.
He added that grants to other government units amounted to GH¢34.6 billion, while capital expenditure reached GH¢16.6 billion during the period.
The Minister reiterated government’s commitment to prudent expenditure management while making strategic investments in priority sectors, including sports, infrastructure, health and education, to support national development.
