By Josephine Kekeli Amuzu
The Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, is scheduled to present the first budget of the Mahama administration to Parliament on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.
This follows Parliament’s approval of a GHȼ68 billion mini-budget in January to cover government spending for the first quarter of the year.
President John Mahama’s first State of the Nation Address is also expected to take place on February 27, 2025.
The upcoming budget is expected to outline key economic policies, priorities for spending, and strategies to stabilise the economy.
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga announced the new date for the budget presentation in Parliament, stating, “The Finance Minister has now proposed March 11, 2025, as the new date to bring the budget to the House for consideration.”
In the upcoming budget, the government plans to remove significant revenue measures such as the E-Levy, betting tax, and COVID-19 levy, aiming to reduce fiscal pressures and decrease dependency on imported goods.
These moves are part of a broader plan to improve macroeconomic stability and strengthen Ghana’s economic outlook under an IMF-backed program. The government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have been meeting to refine fiscal policies ahead of the budget presentation.
Discussions have focused on issues like tax reductions, revenue management reforms, energy sector debt handling, expenditure controls, and stabilising the exchange rate. The outcomes of these talks could significantly impact Ghana’s policy direction, balancing fiscal consolidation with initiatives to stimulate economic growth.
