Yaw Appiah Lartey, Partner for Strategy and Partnerships at Deloitte Ghana, says he is confident the government can meet the key targets outlined in the 2026 Budget presented by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.
The budget lays out a medium-term recovery plan focused on stability, growth, and fiscal consolidation, with projections spanning 2026 to 2029. Government aims for an average real GDP growth rate of 4.9% over the period, while non-oil GDP growth is expected to hover around 5%, reflecting efforts to reduce dependence on the extractive sector.
Inflation is projected to remain within the 8 ± 2 percent target band, and the primary balance is expected to record a surplus of 1.5% of GDP on a commitment basis from 2026, in line with the Fiscal Responsibility Framework. These measures are designed to sustain recent gains in macroeconomic stability.
Speaking on Channel One TV, Mr. Appiah Lartey said the budget deficit targets are realistic, particularly with continued oversight from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He noted that achieving the projections will, however, depend on disciplined implementation.
“I think they are all achievable. For instance, if GDP in the first half of the year grows by about 6.3%, and the end-of-year projection is around 4.6%, that is entirely achievable.
“The same applies to the budget deficit. With the IMF providing oversight, these targets are realistic. They are not overly ambitious, unless we fail to implement certain areas with discipline, which could cause us to miss some of the targets,” he said.