COMMUNICATIONS MINISTRY TURNED INTO PROMOTIONAL CENTER FOR DSTV- MPREASO MP Member of Parliament (MP) of MPREASO Davis Opoku Ansah (OPK) has criticized the way and manner Communication, Digital and Technology Innovations Ministry has turned into as he described it as a Promotional Centre for DSTV. He further stated that, the focus should have been infrastructure to help to improve our country but ministry are doing different thing all together. He added that, the communication ministry should have focused to enhance our rural networks to improve the lives of the citizens but Sam George and his Ministry is doing other wise. He called this year’s budget as empty as nothing better is found in the budget presented by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson on last week’s Thursday. OPK said this on the floor of Parliament during 2026 budget debate.

LETS CONTINUE TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF OUR CHILDREN- KRACHI WEST MP Member of Parliament (MP) of Krachi West Hon. Helen Adwoa Ntoso has urged parents and all to help to protect the rights and freedom of our children. He further explained that, Children are the pillars and future leaders of every nation that’s want its future to be remembered and guided. The Krachi West MP made this known on the floor of Parliament as Ghana joins the world to celebrate Children’s Day on today 20th November,2025. The 2025 theme for World Children's Day is "my day, my rights". As we are encouraging the world to actively listen to children to understand what their lives are like, and how their rights are present, missing or pursued every day, promoting childrens' right to participation. Also, the Member of Parliament (MP) of Atiwa West m, Asante Laurette Korkor said, Children are allowed to express themselves in all manner with guidance, children needs to be protected from sexual abuse and othe

Minority Demands Transparency Over GH¢13.1bn Aircraft Procurement — Jinapor The Member of Parliament for Damongo, Hon. Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, has raised concerns over the government’s multi-year expenditure commitment for the purchase of four helicopters and two presidential jets. Addressing the media, Hon. Jinapor explained that, according to page 202, Appendix 40 of the national budget presented to Parliament by the Finance Minister, the government is programmed to spend GH¢3,596,866,533 in the current year. When the total four-year expenditure for the aircraft procurement is calculated, it amounts to GH¢13,152,772,333. He noted that converting this figure at an exchange rate of GH¢11 to the dollar yields approximately US$1,195,642,939. Using the Bank of Ghana reference rate of GH¢10.53, the amount translates to about US$1,249,900,718. Hon. Jinapor stressed that governance must be rooted in transparency and accountability. He stated that the constitutional duty of the Minority

Ellembelle MP Clarifies Scope of REDD+ Programme in Parliament The Member of Parliament for Ellembelle, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has clarified that the REDD+ programme is not limited to the cocoa sector, as often perceived. Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah explained that the programme also involves a wide range of stakeholders, including private sector actors, reinforced alliances, modelling experts, civil society organisations, farmer cooperatives, and traditional authorities. He emphasized that all these groups play key roles in the implementation and success of the REDD+ initiative. He added that the Forestry Commission continues to work closely with these partners, providing support and facilitating activities that contribute to the programme’s overall objectives.

Annoh-Dompreh Questions Lands Minister Over Cocoa’s Classification in REDD+ Programme The Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyir and Minority Chief Whip, Hon. Frank Annoh-Dompreh, has questioned the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources on whether cocoa farms or cocoa-producing areas have been reserved exclusively for the Forestry Commission under the REDD+ programme, and the justification for such a decision. Addressing Parliament, Hon. Annoh-Dompreh explained that the concept of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) emerged from global efforts to combat climate change under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). He noted that in the early 2000s, scientists established that deforestation and forest degradation accounted for between 10% and 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions, making forest conservation a crucial component of climate mitigation efforts. According to him, Ghana’s REDD+ programme is a collaborative in

*Walewale MP Slams Government's Big Push Policy as Unrealistic* Hon Mahama Tiah Abdul Kabiru, Member of Parliament for Walewale, has criticized the government's Big Push policy, questioning its effectiveness in creating sustainable jobs and driving economic growth. Speaking in Parliament, Hon Kabiru expressed concerns that the policy's focus on constructing jobs, which account for 490,000 of the promised 800,000 jobs, is not a reliable means of providing decent and lasting employment for Ghanaians. Hon Kabiru doubts the government's ability to meet its revenue targets, citing a significant gap between projected revenue and actual collections. The MP highlighted the government's plan to borrow GHS 8 billion in 2027, GHS 8 billion in 2026, and GHS 9 billion in 2029, questioning the sustainability of such debt accumulation. He noted that only 54% of the allocated GHS 13 billion for the Big Push program has been spent, with plans to spend GHS 10 billion by year-end, falling short of

*2026 Budget Debate: Abena Osei Asare Rounds on Govt's Galamsey Fight, Cites Inadequate Funding* The Member of Parliament for Atiwa East, Hon Abena Osei Asare, has expressed disappointment with the government's efforts to combat illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, in the country. Speaking during a debate on the 2026 Budget Statement in Parliament, the Former Deputy Finance Minister emphasized that the devastation caused by galamsey has gone beyond economics and threatens the country's survival. She questioned the allocation of funds to the Ministry of Lands and Forestry, noting that the ministry has been allocated 2.1 billion cedis, but expressed doubt whether this amount is sufficient to effectively combat galamsey. Hon Osei Asare also linked the fight against galamsey to the issue of joblessness, stating that the youth were promised jobs, but the budget's job creation efforts seem inadequate. "The theme of the budget says growth, jobs, and economic transformation, but t

*Majority Leader Praises Finance Minister's Budget Presentation* The Majority Leader of Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, has commended the Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, for his budget presentation, saying it's a step in the right direction. Ayariga stated that the budget has revealed the bad economic management of the previous NPP government, and it's clear they're struggling in opposition. He noted that Parliament's budget has increased from GHC 1.1 billion in 2025 to a proposed GHC 1.6 billion in 2026. The Majority Leader praised the Finance Minister's efforts, citing reduced inflation, improved international ratings, and debt repayment. He expressed confidence that the budget will create jobs, citing the 24-Hour Economy program with a GHC 150 million allocation. Ayariga also highlighted the tragic incident where six young ladies died trying to find a job, blaming the previous government's economic mismanagement. He believes this budget will bring hope to the youth and

*Minority Leader Slams Finance Minister's Budget Presentation* Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader of Ghana's Parliament, has criticized the Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, for his budget presentation, saying it's a repeat of his lamentations from March this year. Mr Afenyo-Markin questioned the Minister's transparency, pointing out that the business community has abandoned him, as evident from the empty public gallery. He also highlighted unanswered questions about a GHC 66 million allocation to constituencies to NDC members, asking where the money came from and how it was used. The Minority Leader emphasized that Parliament, which he is a part of, is the only body that does oversight, and the Minister's failure to recognize this is unacceptable. He also accused the Minister of not consulting with ministers before presenting the budget, saying they seemed unaware of the figures. He concluded by saying the budget is a disappointment and lacks concre

*Government Abolishes COVID-19 Levy, Cuts Tax Burden - Ato Forson* Ghana's Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has announced the abolition of the COVID-19 Health Recovery Levy, effective immediately, as part of a bold package of VAT reforms aimed at making the tax system more equitable and business-friendly. Key Tax Reforms includes COVID-19 Levy Abolished, Putting GH¢3.7 billion back into the pockets of individuals and businesses Again, GET Fund and NHIL Levies Decoupling from VAT tax base abolished Also VAT on Mineral Exploration Abolished, Effective VAT Rate Reduced from 21.9% to 20% . He added that, VAT Registration Threshold Raised from GH¢200,000 to GH¢750,000 and lastly, VAT Zero Rating for Local Textile Manufacturers Extended to 2028 These reforms are expected to reduce the cost of doing business by 5%, Dr. Forson said, presenting the 2026 Budget Statement in Parliament.

*Government to Complete 10 'Agenda 111' Hospitals in 2026 - Ato Forson* Ghana's government is set to complete ten 'Agenda 111' hospitals in 2026, as part of efforts to modernize and expand the country's healthcare system. Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson announced the plans in Parliament while presenting the 2026 Budget Statement. The government aims to enhance healthcare delivery, restore trust, and guarantee sustainable finance through the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as Mahama Cares. He stated that, Ghana's government is set to construct six new regional hospitals as part of efforts to modernize and expand the country's healthcare system. Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson announced the plans in Parliament while presenting the 2026 Budget Statement. According to the Minister, 6 New Regional Hospitals are to be built in newly created regions, starting with three in 2026 Two District Hospitals will also be built at Bole and Shama Government to continue w