Ahmed Ibrahim hails 2026 budget as “best in 17 years” during heated parliamentary debate
The Member of Parliament for Banda constituency and Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has described the 2026 Budget as the most successful the country has seen in nearly two decades.
Contributing to the debate on the budget in Parliament, the MP said the document delivers solutions that lawmakers from both sides of the House have long sought.
According to him, the 2026 Budget achieves economic milestones that had eluded successive governments for years.
He pointed specifically to the West Africa Monetary Zone (WAMZ) primary convergence criteria, noting that Ghana’s performance under the new budget surpasses the results recorded under previous administrations.
“What we were all searching for—myself, you, and 98 members on the other side—has now been found within this budget,” he said. “For 17 years, governments struggled with these targets, but this budget has delivered.”
Ahmed Ibrahim argued that while Ghana failed to meet the four primary convergence criteria for many years, the 2026 Budget marks a significant turnaround.
He referenced the 2022 ECOWAS Multilateral Surveillance Report, explaining that at the time, Ghana met only two primary and one secondary criteria.
He compared this with the current performance outlined in the 2026 Budget, insisting it reflects stronger economic management.
“What Ghana could not achieve in nine years, we have delivered within this period,” he said, adding that the improved results demonstrate the effectiveness of the new fiscal strategy.
The Banda MP also contrasted the current administration’s achievements with what he described as shortcomings under previous finance ministers.
“Where is our former finance minister Ken Ofori Atta ?” he asked rhetorically.
” in the history of Ghana no finance minister has runaway after his party lost power. In 2024 budget the NPP passed no confidence in the budget and asked the then Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to resign from office so why do you want to compare Ken Ofori-Atta’s budget that you didn’t believe in it to what Ato Forson the hardworking man has produce” he mocked the Minority.
“It is because of this new leadership that these results have been achieved.”
He urged MPs to study the convergence indicators detailed in page 16, paragraph 53 of the budget document, stressing that the numbers speak for themselves.
Parliament is expected to continue debate on the 2026 Budget as both sides scrutinize the government’s economic projections and policy proposals.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
