Economist Dr. Samson Anomah has expressed reservations regarding the substance of the 2026 budget statement delivered last week by Finance Minister Ato Forson, suggesting it lacks any meaningful or signature development initiatives.
Commenting on the budget’s content, Dr. Anomah noted that the statement offered “the usual things we normally hear during a budget statement” and failed to present a distinctive development strategy.
Speaking on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, the economist focused specifically on the much-touted scrapping of the COVID-19 Levy, arguing it is not anything significant.
Dr. Anomah explained that the removal of the COVID-19 Levy was a key campaign promise and is therefore not an unexpected or significant policy move.
He further argued that the levy’s abolition will pose no major challenge to government revenue generation, as the administration is simultaneously introducing a new one percent levy on fuel to replace it, alongside an existing eight percent levy already being collected on fuel.
“Ato Forson is forcing, but examining the budget, I cannot find any significant development in 2026. It is the usual things. Scrapping the one percent COVID-19 levy is nothing significant because the government is already collecting eight percent on fuel.”
He contended that the COVID-19 Levy “should have been scrapped several months ago,” following the pattern of other promised levy removals. He suggested the government delayed the action due to fear of immediate revenue shortfalls, which led to the prior introduction of the ‘dumsor’ levy. He concluded that the current timing makes the move “so easy” to implement without immediate fiscal strain.
Dr. Anomah did, however, identify one positive aspect: the tax reforms that the government intends to introduce.
He also voiced strong concern over the government’s failure to implement projects pledged in the previous budget.
He stated: “The government had pledged in the previous budget to embark on some key projects but they failed to do it.” He cited that the allocations made to various District, Municipal, and Metropolitan Assemblies were not utilized for their intended projects.
Finally, he highlighted the non-payment of contractors in 2025.
He warned that if these payments are executed in 2026, it could potentially have an adverse impact on key macroeconomic indicators, including inflation and interest rates.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
