The Government of Ghana has unveiled its 2026 budget with a total expenditure of GH¢357 billion (GH¢357,105,639,079.87), providing a detailed breakdown of allocations across key sectors.
Significant investments have been earmarked for infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, energy, social protection, and the 24-Hour Economy, highlighting a strong focus on job creation, economic growth, and social development.
The budget also outlines targeted funding to support local governance, industrialisation, and the creative economy, ensuring that investments touch every part of the country.
To promote round-the-clock economic activity, exports, and decent jobs under the 24-Hour Economy initiative, the government has earmarked GH¢110 million for 2026.
This allocation will be leveraged with the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund, the Development Bank of Ghana, and private capital, keeping most financing off the sovereign balance sheet.
The Ministry of Food and Agriculture is set to receive GH¢245 million to scale up food security programs, covering Feed Ghana, grains and vegetables cultivation, and the Nkoko Nkitinkiti livestock programme.
In a major push to strengthen the oil palm sector, a dedicated GH¢6.9 billion Oil Palm Finance Window will support nurseries, out-growers, land-bank activation, smallholder inclusion, and value addition through local processing under the National Policy on Integrated Oil Palm Development from 2026 to 2032.
To facilitate transportation of farm produce and reduce food inflation, the government has allocated GH¢828 million for the construction of 1,000 kilometres of agriculture enclave roads, GH¢690 million to commence the operationalisation of Farmer Service Centres, GH¢200 million to the Ghana Buffer Stock Company to purchase excess food produce, and GH¢100 million for aquaculture development.
Significant investments are also earmarked for the energy sector. Phase I of the Rural Electricity Acceleration and Urban Intensification Initiative will receive GH¢2.0 billion, while GH¢15.2 billion is set aside for energy sector shortfall payments, and GH¢4.8 billion has been allocated to settle legacy Independent Power Producer debt.
Road infrastructure remains a critical priority. The Ministry of Roads and Highways will receive GH¢4.3 billion for construction works, while the Ghana Road Maintenance Trust Fund is allocated GH¢3 billion to maintain 10 kilometres of road in each of 166 constituencies.
The strategic Big Push Infrastructure Programme for national and regional roads and bridges will receive GH¢30 billion, aimed at opening up the country for trade, travel, and economic growth.
Education continues to receive robust funding, with GH¢33.3 billion earmarked for the Ministry of Education alongside GH¢9.9 billion for the Ghana Education Trust Fund.
Free Secondary Education will be implemented with GH¢4.2 billion, and the Ghana Secondary Learning Improvement Programme will receive GH¢1.1 billion.
The “No-Fee-Stress” policy will continue with GH¢537 million, and GH¢25 million has been provided for Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities.
The government has also allocated GH¢3 billion for the procurement and distribution of educational materials, including kindergarten books for 200,000 learners, primary textbooks for 2 million learners, Junior High School textbooks for 500,000 learners, over 2 million metal mono-desks and chairs, 200 66-seater buses, and 200 double-cabin pick-ups for secondary schools.
An additional GH¢2 billion will fund the construction of 200 new Junior High Schools, 200 new primary schools, 200 kindergartens, 400 four-unit teachers’ bungalows, and 400 sanitation facilities in underserved communities.
To improve learning outcomes, GH¢157 million has been allocated for Capitation Grants, GH¢1.98 billion for the School Feeding Programme, GH¢292 million for free sanitary pads for girls, GH¢207 million for Teacher Trainee Allowances, and GH¢169 million for BECE registration.
Healthcare funding has been significantly enhanced, with GH¢9.0 billion allocated for the National Health Insurance Scheme to cover claims, essential medicines, vaccines, bridging support, and Free Primary Healthcare.
The Ghana Medical Care Trust will receive GH¢2.3 billion to support patients with chronic diseases such as cancer, hypertension, diabetes, stroke, and kidney disease.
In addition, GH¢474 million has been set aside for Nursing Trainee Allowances, GH¢600 million for the construction of three new regional hospitals, GH¢79 million for the upgrade of seven hospitals to enhance maternal and child health services, and GH¢100 million to complete ten Agenda 111 hospital projects.
Social protection and local governance also feature prominently in the budget.
The LEAP programme will receive GH¢1.1 billion to protect vulnerable citizens.
To promote women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises, GH¢401 million has been allocated to the Women’s Development Bank to provide affordable finance.
Skills development and enterprise support will receive GH¢430 million, comprising GH¢170 million for the National Apprenticeship Programme, GH¢100 million for the National Coders Programme, and GH¢160 million for the ‘Adwumawura’ initiative. GH¢100 million will be provided as monthly allowances to Assembly Members.
The District Assemblies Common Fund has been allocated GH¢8.9 billion, with at least 80% of releases directed to Assemblies for priority projects, including 24-Hour Economy model markets, educational and health facilities, potable water provision, environmental sanitation, school furniture, and completion of legacy projects.
The government has also programmed GH¢207 million for GDP and Consumer Price Index rebasing, GH¢150 million for the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat, GH¢20 million to the Film Fund as seed money to revive the film industry, and GH¢20 million to the Creative Arts Fund to support arts, music, fashion, and other creative sectors.
GH¢400 million has been allocated to the Integrated Recycling and Compost Plant, GH¢100 million for constructing fishing markets, and GH¢50 million for the purchase of fishing nets and outboard motors.
Housing allocations include GH¢500 million for district housing, including resettlement of Akosombo Dam spillage victims. Sports and recreation will receive GH¢200 million for mini stadiums and GH¢150 million for the Black Stars’ participation in the World Cup, while fire services will receive GH¢150 million for tenders and equipment.
The 2026 budget is designed to create up to 800,000 new jobs, with road contracts under the Big Push expected to generate 490,000 jobs.
Three new garment factories will create over 20,000 direct jobs, seven agro-processing plants will employ 700 people directly and thousands more along the supply chain, and the Oil Palm Policy is expected to generate 250,000 jobs across the value chain. Farmer Service Centres will engage thousands in machinery operation, maintenance, and logistics.
The government emphasised that private sector-led growth will be supported through recapitalisation of the National Investment Bank, the Agricultural Development Bank, and the Consolidated Bank of Ghana with GH¢1 billion by the end of 2025, complemented by the GH¢401 million for the Women’s Development Bank to expand access to affordable finance.
Overall, the GH¢357 billion budget demonstrates the government’s commitment to leveraging strategic investments to drive sustainable economic growth, improve social infrastructure, and generate jobs across the country, while advancing the 24-Hour Economy and strengthening private sector participation in development.
