The minority in parliament, led by Hon Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has criticised the government’s 2027 Budget, describing it as a “paper economy” that fails to reflect the economic realities facing ordinary Ghanaians.
He said the figures presented by Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson do not adequately represent the financial difficulties facing households, traders and businesses across the country.
Speaking to the press after the presentation of the 2027 Budget, Hon Afenyo-Markin questioned the government’s economic assessment, arguing that many Ghanaians continued to struggle with the high cost of living despite the improvements outlined in the budget.
“We cannot remain silent when the Finance Minister presents us with a ‘paper economy’,” he said.
He pointed to the high prices of foodstuffs in major markets, including Makola, Kejetia, Techiman, Tamale, Aboabo, Asafo, Winneba Central Market, and Agbogbloshie, Abeka, and Mallam markets in Accra.
The Minority Leader also questioned the government’s plans to promote the processing of maize and other agricultural produce, insisting that farmers were still struggling to receive the necessary support despite rising food prices.
According to him, the cost of rice, maize, sorghum and yam has continued to increase over the past two years, with some locally produced food items becoming more expensive than imported alternatives.
“Our farmers are suffering. They are not getting any support from the government,” he stated.
Hon Afenyo-Markin further expressed dissatisfaction with proceedings in Parliament, claiming that the Speaker did not give the Minority an opportunity to present its preliminary observations on the 2027 Budget.
Meanwhile, some Minority MPs displayed placards during the press conference to register their opposition to the government’s policies and the budget.
The placards carried inscriptions such as “FRAKADAM ABAN” and “24HR COCAINE BUDGET”, reflecting the Minority’s dissatisfaction with the government’s economic agenda.
