Chairman of Parliament’s Finance Committee and MP for Bolgatanga Central, Isaac Adongo, has criticised Ghana’s persistent failure to learn from past tragedies, following the deadly stampede at the El-Wak Stadium during a military recruitment exercise. The incident, which claimed six lives and left several others in critical condition, has sparked widespread concern about the country’s preparedness and safety protocols for large-scale public events. Speaking on Joy News’ Newsfile, Mr. Adongo described the development as a “national tragedy,” but said the disaster also reflects a deeper national problem—Ghana’s consistent inability to reflect on past mistakes and improve. “To be honest, what…
Author: MasemTV Newsroom
Technical Advisor at the Ministry of Finance, Dr. Theo Acheampong, says the 2026 Budget Statement has been deliberately structured to consolidate ongoing reforms and boost productivity as Ghana transitions into a new phase of economic rebuilding. Speaking on Citi FM’s The Big Issue on Saturday, November 15, following the presentation of the 2026 Budget to Parliament, Dr. Acheampong said recent economic turbulence made it necessary for the government to “fundamentally” reset the economy and strengthen structural reforms. “We have come from a particular place—a place where the severe challenges we had with the economy, particularly over the 2022–2023 period and…
IMANI Africa President Franklin Cudjoe has commended Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson for what he describes as the fastest and most significant reduction of Ghana’s public debt in over a decade. Delivering the 2026 Budget Statement to Parliament on Thursday, November 13, Dr. Forson announced that Ghana’s total public debt had declined sharply from GH₵726.7 billion (61.8% of GDP) in 2024 to GH₵630.2 billion (45% of GDP) by October 2025. “For the first time in over a decade, we have recorded a negative rate in debt accumulation—from a positive 19.1 percent in 2024 to a negative 13.3 percent in…
President John Dramani Mahama has inaugurated a new Hajj Board chaired by Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko, tasking its members to run Ghana’s annual pilgrimage with integrity, professionalism and modern efficiency. Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony, President Mahama outlined five key priorities the Board must deliver on: early planning, transparency and accountability, the welfare and safety of pilgrims, courtesy and discipline among officials, and effective stakeholder communication. Early, predictable planning The President urged the Board to begin preparations for the next Hajj immediately to avoid the last-minute adjustments that have often triggered confusion and anxiety among prospective pilgrims. He said schedules, registration…
The Minority in Parliament has accused the International Monetary Fund (IMF) of failing to enforce its own fiscal rules, allowing the government to breach key commitments under Ghana’s ongoing economic programme. Speaking for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), former Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam alleged that the Bank of Ghana (BoG) is engaging in prohibited monetary financing by funding GoldBod—an action he says violates explicit IMF conditions. “When the IMF will sleep and allow the government to deviate from the formula which the IMF agreed with us for determining the primary balance, we shouldn’t say it?” Dr. Adam questioned.…
The Minority in Parliament has taken a swipe at the government’s handling of the cedi, insisting that despite injecting billions of dollars into the foreign exchange market, the national currency remains weak and unstable. Addressing journalists on Friday, November 14, former Finance Minister Dr. Amin Adam said the scale of forex interventions should have produced far stronger results. “With the significant billions of dollars of interventions, we expected the rate to be at GH₵8 to a dollar,” he said. “The market’s muted response reveals a sophisticated understanding that currency strength cannot be purchased; it must be earned through sound economic…
National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has issued a firm and uncompromising warning to all public officials: the era of impunity is over, and no one — regardless of political ties — will be shielded from prosecution. Addressing the ongoing wave of investigations and high-profile arrests under the NDC government’s intensified anti-corruption drive, Asiedu Nketiah reaffirmed the administration’s resolve to pursue every case of misconduct. “Wherever Ken Ofori-Atta is hiding, we’ll find him. Every crime they have committed, they must answer for it,” he declared. He stressed that the crackdown is strictly non-partisan. “A criminal…
Former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), John Boadu, has warned that the party is steadily losing its influence within academia and among the country’s youth — two constituencies he says will be decisive for the party’s future. Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on Tuesday, November 11, Mr. Boadu said the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has made significant inroads on university campuses and among intellectuals, a development he believes the NPP has neglected for too long. “You can now see that academia, for instance, looks like the NDC is having a lot of them as we speak now,”…
Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, says the Mahama administration’s economic vision goes far beyond stabilising Ghana’s economy, stressing that the government is deliberately rebuilding the nation and laying a durable foundation for inclusive, long-term prosperity. Presenting the 2026 Budget Statement and Economic Policy to Parliament on Thursday, November 13, Dr. Forson said the government’s comprehensive reforms are part of a broader national renewal agenda rooted in discipline, equity, and structural transformation. “Mr Speaker, the Mahama Administration is not just stabilising an economy, it is rebuilding a nation,” he declared. Rebuilding Through Strategic Programmes The Finance Minister highlighted key…
The 2026 Budget Statement and Economic Policy, presented by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has delivered a major tax relief package to Ghanaians, anchored by the complete abolition of the COVID-19 Health Recovery Levy and a broad restructuring of the Value Added Tax (VAT) regime. The reforms, which take effect in 2026, are expected to return GH₵5.7 billion to households and businesses, making this one of the most significant tax relief programmes introduced in over a decade. GH₵3.7 Billion Direct Relief From Scrapping COVID-19 Levy The standout measure is the removal of the COVID-19 levy, a charge introduced at…