The improving state of Ghana’s macroeconomic indicators has received a cautious welcome from BudgIT Ghana, which says the next phase of the recovery must be defined by transparency, effective implementation and stronger public oversight.
The public finance advocacy organisation said improvements in economic growth, inflation, fiscal performance, debt sustainability and international reserves point to signs of greater macroeconomic stability.
According to BudgIT Ghana Country Manager, Jennifer A. Moffatt, the successful completion of the International Monetary Fund’s Extended Credit Facility Programme, the improvement in Ghana’s debt outlook, the decline in inflation to 5.3%, the upward revision of first-quarter real GDP growth from 4.8% to 6.4%, and the increase in Gross International Reserves to US$12.9 billion were important developments.
She, however, said the sustainability of the recovery would ultimately depend on how effectively the gains translate into improved living conditions, public infrastructure and service delivery.
“While these developments deserve recognition, the true test of success lies in sustaining these gains through prudent fiscal management, transparent implementation, and ensuring that economic recovery delivers tangible benefits for all Ghanaians,” BudgIT Ghana said.
Focus on implementation
BudgIT Ghana said the government’s attention should now shift from policy announcements to effective implementation of reforms.
The organisation welcomed the implementation of amendments to the Public Procurement Authority Act, describing the changes as an opportunity to strengthen oversight of public procurement and improve transparency in public expenditure.
It called for the mandatory use of the Ghana Electronic Procurement System (GHANEPS) and the Ghana Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).
BudgIT Ghana argued that procurement processes conducted outside approved digital platforms could weaken transparency and public oversight and create opportunities for inefficiencies and financial irregularities.
It therefore urged the enforcement of sanctions against institutions that deliberately circumvent the systems, in accordance with applicable public financial management rules.
Calls for details on Big Push spending
BudgIT Ghana also called for greater disclosure of expenditure under the government’s Big Push Programme.
While acknowledging the government’s reported expenditure of approximately GH¢6.5 billion on the programme, the organisation said citizens needed detailed information on how the funds were being used.
It urged the government to publish project-level data covering individual project names and locations, approved budgets, procurement contract values, implementation status and quarterly progress reports.
“Citizens ought to know where these initiatives are. They deserve far greater visibility into how the government is using these resources,” the organisation said.
It also called on the government and Parliament to publish a comprehensive implementation framework covering delivery timelines, financing arrangements, monitoring mechanisms and expected outputs.
BudgIT Ghana said such information should be made available through GHANEPS and the Ministry of Finance’s fiscal transparency portal to allow citizens, civil society organisations and oversight institutions to monitor implementation.
Fiscal data update
The organisation further urged the Ministry of Finance to update its fiscal data portal, noting that publicly available 2026 fiscal data currently covers only the January-March reporting period despite the publication of updated figures through June in the Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review.
It said timely access to fiscal information was necessary to support independent analysis, informed public debate and effective citizen oversight.
24-Hour Market
On the 24-Hour Market Programme, BudgIT Ghana called for greater clarity on implementation timelines, operational models, funding arrangements and rollout strategies.
It cautioned that implementation should take account of differences in security, infrastructure and economic conditions across the country.
“The feasibility of a 24-hour market varies across the country,” the organisation said, pointing to Nkwanta in the Oti Region, where security challenges and curfew restrictions continue to affect economic activity.
It said successful implementation would require context-specific assessments of security, electricity reliability, transport connectivity, market demand and local economic viability.
BudgIT Ghana said the country’s macroeconomic recovery presented an opportunity to rebuild public trust, but argued that sustaining that trust would require open data, transparent implementation, effective oversight and meaningful citizen participation.
