- Mid-Year Budget Review Must Show Where Ghana’s Money Has Gone — BudgIT Ghana
BudgIT Ghana has urged government to make transparency, accountability and measurable outcomes the centrepiece of the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review, warning that the success of the national budget should not be judged by allocations announced but by whether public spending is translating into tangible improvements in citizens’ lives.
The civic-tech organisation said the upcoming review presents a critical opportunity for government to provide a comprehensive assessment of fiscal performance, policy implementation and progress towards national development priorities.
According to BudgIT Ghana, the Mid-Year Budget Review must go beyond being a statutory requirement and serve as an accountability platform where citizens can evaluate how public resources have been mobilised, allocated and utilised.
The organisation noted that the 2026 National Budget projected total revenue and grants of GH¢268.1 billion and total expenditure of GH¢302.5 billion on a commitment basis, with major priorities including the GH¢30 billion Big Push Infrastructure Programme, education, healthcare, agriculture, job creation and social protection.
However, BudgIT Ghana argued that the real measure of success must move beyond budgetary allocations to focus on implementation, including whether projects are completed on schedule, funds are used efficiently and citizens experience improvements in public services.
The organisation is demanding detailed disclosures on revenue performance during the first half of the year, including major revenue sources, performance against targets and factors responsible for any revenue shortfalls or surpluses.
A major area of concern for BudgIT Ghana is the implementation of the government’s GH¢30 billion Big Push Infrastructure Programme.
The organisation said government must provide clarity on projects approved, locations, financing arrangements, timelines, procurement processes and mechanisms for ensuring value for money.
It stressed that major public infrastructure investments must be traceable and deliver measurable benefits to communities.
The call comes as government seeks to accelerate infrastructure development while maintaining fiscal discipline following recent economic stabilisation efforts.
BudgIT Ghana also wants the Mid-Year Budget Review to provide greater transparency on Ghana’s debt position, debt servicing obligations, borrowing plans and measures being implemented to protect long-term fiscal sustainability.
“With Ghana’s debt sustainability remaining a key concern,” the organisation said the review should explain how current fiscal decisions will avoid undermining future generations.
The demand comes amid continued public interest in how government balances infrastructure investment ambitions with debt management and fiscal consolidation.
Beyond fiscal numbers, BudgIT Ghana wants government to demonstrate how spending is improving everyday lives.
The organisation said citizens need clearer evidence that allocations to education, healthcare, agriculture, employment and social protection programmes are translating into better services, increased opportunities and improved livelihoods.
BudgIT Ghana Country Manager Jennifer A. Moffatt said the review should move beyond announcements and examine actual progress made on fiscal commitments.
“While ambitious targets and allocations are important, citizens must be able to see how these resources are improving their communities and livelihoods,” she said.
She added that strong implementation, transparent reporting and citizen oversight would determine whether the 2026 Budget becomes merely a document of promises or a roadmap for measurable impact.
To strengthen accountability, BudgIT Ghana is calling for improved budget execution reporting, including timely publication of funds released, expenditure levels, project progress and outcomes achieved across major government programmes.
The organisation also wants comprehensive information on major infrastructure projects to be publicly available to allow citizens and civil society organisations to monitor implementation and assess value for money.
Other recommendations include stronger public financial management systems, improved procurement transparency, independent audits, expenditure controls and simplified communication of fiscal information to citizens.
BudgIT Ghana further called for deeper citizen participation in the budget cycle, arguing that citizens should have meaningful opportunities to engage in budget planning, implementation monitoring and evaluation of public programmes.
As Ghana awaits the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review, BudgIT Ghana said the central question should remain whether public resources are translating into public value and whether every cedi spent is delivering measurable benefits for citizens.
