The Global Director of BudgIT, Oluseun David Onigbinde, has emphasized the urgent need for fiscal discipline and the prioritisation of public spending to improve the welfare of ordinary citizens.
Speaking at a public event in Accra on Thursday, Onigbinde called on civil society organisations (CSOs), government institutions, and citizens to play active roles in demanding accountability and transparency in the use of Ghana’s limited public resources.
The programme, organised by BudgIT Ghana, centred on the launch of the Citizen Budget — a simplified version of the national budget aimed at making public financial data more accessible to ordinary Ghanaians. The event brought together stakeholders from government, civil society, and the media.
Speaking to the press, Onigbinde stressed the need for citizens to understand that public resources are finite and should be used prudently. “We want to help the people understand that government even has limited public resources. The agitation is that the bigger part of public resources should be used to improve the lives of the people. That’s what we are looking for,” he stated.
He advised CSOs to be strategic and focused in their advocacy by identifying and prioritising the most pressing needs within communities. “We need schools, we need computers, we need roads, water systems, and advocacy for women and children. But we must ask: what is the most pressing, most important? So that we have a cohesive unit when we engage members of parliament or the executive branch of government,” he said.
Onigbinde also touched on the issue of fiscal responsibility, warning that a lack of transparency and independence in key institutions like the Bank of Ghana and the Budget Office could lead to economic crises. “If the government is not factual, comprehensive, and accurate together with its data, it will lead to a severe crisis down the line. We have seen that happen in Nigeria,” he cautioned. He further urged that these institutions be protected from political interference to ensure they serve the long-term objectives of the nation.
Asked about the government’s aggressive expenditure-cutting measures, Onigbinde remarked that it is possible for Ghana’s government to spend below its projected GHS 290 billion expenditure for the year but cautioned that credibility in budgeting was crucial.
“It’s very possible. I’ve heard 290 billion cedis is ambitious… It’s also very important that the government looks at what is most important to the people, reduces the burden on others as much as possible, and ensures efficiency in government,” he said.
He cited recent government actions, such as the removal of fuel allowances for political appointees, as examples of the kind of belt-tightening measures that should be expanded.
“You need to look into those other spaces where you can tighten the belt for the political elites so that they can act in solidarity with the people. People are going through a lot, but they want to make sure all of us are going through it together, not just that we are suffering,” he stated.
“There is no country that progresses without fiscal discipline. You can put all your macroeconomic structures in place, but if there is no fiscal discipline, nothing lasts,” he added.
On her part, Jennifer Moffatt, the Country Manager for BudgIT Ghana, explained that the newly launched Citizen Budget aims to demystify Ghana’s national budget and make it more accessible to the ordinary citizen.
“What we do as BudgIT is to simplify public data. One of the public data sets we work with is the National Budget,” she said.
Moffatt noted that the Citizen Budget breaks down complex budgetary information into simple, relatable language and infographics, highlighting key issues such as projected revenues, government expenditure, priority sectors, and the budget formulation cycle.
“This year’s budget is themed ‘Resetting the Economy for the Ghana We Want’. We explain what this means and what citizens should expect,” she explained.
She pointed out that the Citizen Budget also provides a snapshot of government priorities in sectors such as health and education, especially following recent policy adjustments like the uncapping of funds for the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA). “We are looking forward to seeing some improvements in health and education because these sectors have been uncapped,” she noted.
Moffatt further revealed that the simplified document is available both physically at the BudgIT Ghana office and online through a QR code, allowing citizens to access more detailed analysis and supporting documents.
Ahead of the mid-year budget review, Moffatt expressed hope for improved fiscal indicators and adjustments that reflect better governance and citizen-centred priorities.
