Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson is expected to deliver to Parliament the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review today, Thursday, July 24.

This is in accordance with Section 28 of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921), to inform the country on its economic performance and fiscal strategy halfway through the year.

The delivery of the budget by the Finance Minister was announced by Deputy Majority Leader George Kweku Ricketts-Hagan during the presentation of the Business Statement on the floor of Parliament on Friday, July 11.

“The mid-year again will happen on the 24th of July. I think the committee is on the selection issue. Right Honourable Speaker has been engaging with it. He is out of the jurisdiction, and so when he comes back, I am sure he will get it sorted out,” he said on the floor of the House.

The minister’s update is expected to include a detailed assessment of government expenditure since the start of the year (January–date).

This would include updates on revenue generation, spending, debt servicing, policy direction, and fiscal policies and decisions so far.

It will also outline any proposed amendments or adjustments to fiscal plans in light of current economic conditions.

It would also address the country’s macroeconomic performance, including issues such as inflation status, exchange rate stability, and progress on structural reforms.

As part of his delivery, the sector minister is expected to officially inform Parliament about the government’s engagement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and current arrangements with bilateral creditors.

Meanwhile, the Bank of Ghana has confirmed the receipt of $367 million from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), credited to its account on Tuesday, July 9.

This forms part of the fifth disbursement under the IMF’s $3 billion Extended Credit Facility programme, which Ghana entered into in May 2023.

This comes after the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on July 7 completed the fourth review of the US$3 billion, 36-month Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Arrangement, which was approved by the Board in May 2023.

Following the Executive Board discussion on Ghana, Deputy Managing Director Bo Li issued the following statement:

“The authorities are strongly committed to restoring fiscal discipline and addressing the structural weaknesses that led to the slippages. This should be supported by continued efforts to enhance domestic revenue mobilisation and streamline non-priority expenditure while creating space for development priorities and enhanced social safety nets."

This brings Ghana’s total disbursements under the arrangement to about US$2.3 billion. Ghana received its first disbursement from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under the $3 billion Extended Credit Facility on Friday, May 19, 2023.

Ghana's growth in 2024 and the first quarter of 2025 was higher than expected, reflecting robust activity in the mining, agricultural, ICT, manufacturing, and construction sectors.

Ghana's economy grew by 5.3% in the first quarter of 2025, higher than the 4.9% recorded during the same period in 2024.

According to the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), growth was driven by strong performance in the services sector and a rebound in the agricultural sector over the period.

However, the industry sector recorded a slow growth of 3.4% as a result of low activities and slow growth in the oil and gas sector.

Under the incumbent government, the country has observed a continuous decline in inflation from over 20% to 13.7% as of June 2025.

Peasant farmers have made calls for a 50% allocation of funds allocated for the Big Push infrastructure initiative to the agricultural sector ahead of the mid-year budget review.

They argue that prioritising agriculture—one of the government’s core policy objectives—could be a transformative move, driving economic growth and job creation.

The farmers highlighted the Feed Ghana Programme, which aims to boost food production, supply raw materials to agro-processing industries, and create employment opportunities, particularly for the country’s growing youth population.

The initiative includes plans to establish farmer service centres nationwide, offering mechanisation support, quality inputs, financing, market access, and training.

In a related development, the Finance Minister, Forson, after the budget presentation on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, promised Ghanaians that the 2025 budget is not a paper of unrealistic possibilities but is designed to prioritise their concerns and improve their livelihoods.

Speaking in Parliament during the conclusion of discussions on the Budget Statement, he reaffirmed the government's commitment to seeing its proposals fully executed.

“This budget reflects our determination to put the people first, and we will ensure its successful execution for the benefit of all Ghanaians,” he stated.

He emphasized that the document is not just a collection of economic projections but a strategic framework aimed at addressing the challenges citizens face.

“This budget is not just figures on paper; it is a comprehensive plan to address the real concerns of Ghanaians. We have listened, and we are responding with practical solutions,” he added.

Dr. Forson acknowledged Ghana’s persistent economic difficulties and stressed that resolving them requires a methodical and sustainable approach.

“The problems of this country did not arise overnight, but we have begun the process of resolving them systematically and sustainably,” he noted.

He urged Ghanaians to support the government’s plans, highlighting that the budget is a crucial step toward long-term economic stability and national progress.

He received applause for the removal of some controversial taxes, such as the e-levy, betting tax, which was a major concern for the youth, as many young males argued that, erstwhile government left many unemployed and decided to charge them for the income they were earning without government's intervention.

Consequently, social media was buzzing with hashtags like #AbanPapaAba trended on platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), with youth and traders celebrating what they saw as a pro-poor budget.

Also, following engagements with market women, particularly at Makola, they praised the Finance Minister for its grassroots approach, showing a commitment to listening to everyday citizens.

Despite the loud applause, the Minority slammed the government for hypocrisy, claiming some tax removals were misleading as the Betting Tax had never been implemented.

Some economists also questioned the sustainability of the tax cuts, asking how it would affect fiscal discipline.