Accra: Mr Patrick Yaw Boamah, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Okaikwei Central, has voiced strong criticism towards the government's handling of the economy, stating that the citizens' living conditions should improve in tandem with increased revenue mobilisation. Boamah stressed that the effective management of revenue should also ensure the timely payment of public sector workers.
According to Ghana News Agency, during a parliamentary debate on the Mid-Year Budget Review of the 2026 Budget Statement and Economic Policy, Mr Boamah expressed skepticism towards the government's priorities, despite reports of strong revenue performance. He questioned the government's inability to fulfill its financial obligations to essential public sector employees, such as doctors, nurses, and teachers. His comments were directed at the government's reported achievements in revenue collection, challenging how these achievements translate into real benefits for citizens.
Boamah also highlighted the government's failure to provide updates on its campaign promise to create 800,000 jobs. He criticized the lack of transparency and accountability in the government's mid-year review presentation, which reportedly did not address this significant pledge. This criticism came amidst ongoing exchanges between the Majority and Minority parties in Parliament, following a spirited defence by Mr Atta Isaah of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), who supported Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, the Minister of Finance, against allegations of inadequate revenue mobilisation.
Further raising concerns, Boamah pointed to the development projects in the Ajumako area, questioning their alignment with the residents' needs for employment opportunities and fair compensation for cocoa farmers. He argued that the local populace is more interested in job creation than in the establishment of military barracks or specialist hospitals, which he claimed were misplaced priorities.
Boamah also referenced the Tree Crop Development Authority Act, emphasizing the need for the government to align its policy commitments with actual implementation. He criticized the perceived disconnect, recalling the 2026 Budget's plans to invest over US$500 million to rejuvenate the oil palm sector, questioning the tangible outcomes of such commitments.
The debate on the Mid-Year Budget Review, presented by Dr. Forson, included discussions on revised expenditure and revenue projections for the remainder of 2026, alongside the removal of several taxes, such as the E-Levy on Momo transactions. This review is a legal requirement in Ghana, aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability, and fiscal discipline, as mandated by Article 179 of the 1992 Constitution and the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921).
The parliamentary debate is set to continue, with both sides defending their records on economic management and revenue mobilisation, as stakeholders and the public closely monitor the government's fiscal performance and policy implementation.