The Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has disclosed that government expenditure slowed to 3.7 percent, reflecting efforts to ensure prudent fiscal governance.
Presenting the 2026 Fiscal Budget in Parliament yesterday, Dr. Forson noted that while government spending declined, household consumption rose, underscoring growing public confidence in the economy.
“Right Honourable Speaker, household consumption grew by 8.2 percent, reflecting stronger household confidence. Government spending also slowed to 3.7 percent, proving fiscal discipline. Mr. Speaker, exports grew by 11.5 percent, led by gold, cocoa, and non-traditional exports,” he stated.
Dr. Forson added that cocoa production rebounded from a sharp 21.4 percent contraction to record 2.8 percent growth, attributing the recovery to targeted farm support and smarter agricultural policies.
“Industry held steady despite reduced oil output. Manufacturing rose by 6.3 percent, and construction by 4.0 percent, reflecting reliable energy and revived infrastructure projects,” he said.
According to the Finance Minister, this form of growth “creates jobs, lifts incomes, and builds lasting stability.”
“Mr. Speaker, I now take you to price development,” he concluded as he transitioned to the next section of his presentation.
The Minister for Finance and Economic Planning , Dr. Ato Forson, has told parliament that service sector remains the engine of the Ghanaian economy.
The sector, according to him, recorded increments in the areas of ICT, ,Finance, and Insurance and education.
“Mr. Speaker, the service sector remains the heartbeat of recovery, surging 8.8 percent with ICT up 17.2 percent, finance and insurance up 9.5 percent, and education up 14.9 percent.
According to Dr. Forson, who doubles as the minister for Defense, Ghana’s economy has regained its rhythm, emphasising that Real GDP expanded by 6.3 percent in the first half of 2025, up from 5.1 percent in the same period of 202.
Ato Forson made these remarks when he Budget Statement and Economic Policy for the 2026 financial year in Parliament today.
This feat, he noted that was driven by stronger agriculture and service, lower inflation and renewed business confidence, non-oil GDP grew by 7.8 percent, showing that our growth is now powered by domestic production,adding that agriculture, the backbone of stability, also grew by 6 percent, doubling that of last year.
The Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has told Parliament that Ghana’s economy has fully recovered from the severe challenges it faced in previous years.
Presenting the Budget Statement and Economic Policy for the 2026 financial year, Dr. Forson said the recovery reflects renewed investor confidence, macroeconomic stability, and improved fiscal discipline under the current administration.
> “Mr. Speaker, through visionary leadership, fiscal discipline, and policy consistency, the tide has finally turned. Ghana’s economy has now recovered, marked by renewed investor confidence and an improved macroeconomic outlook,” he stated.
The Finance Minister noted that before the National Democratic Congress (NDC) assumed office, the economy was burdened by high inflation, weak public finances, and pressures that weighed heavily on households and businesses.
He credited President John Dramani Mahama’s leadership and pragmatic policy measures for restoring stability and steering the nation back to a growth path.
> “Prior to the NDC taking the reins of government, the Ghanaian economy was marked with pressures that weighed heavily on households, businesses, and public finances. Yet, through the vision of President Mahama, the narrative has changed,” he added.
Dr. Forson assured Parliament that the government remains committed to maintaining fiscal prudence and supporting sectors that will sustain growth and job creation in the coming year.
Yesterday, six of our young citizens who left home hoping to return as potential recruits into our noble Ghana Armed Forces lost their lives in a tragic stampede during a recruitment exercise—an incident that should shake the conscience of the nation.
Videos circulating on social media show thousands of desperate applicants jostling for a chance to have their documents assessed.
But that quickly descended into chaos, claiming the lives of these compatriots in their prime and injuring dozens more.The casualty rate—estimated at 34 injured alongside the fatalities—underscores the gravity of what happened.
Beyond the immediate tragedy, however, lies a deeper, systemic problem: our grim unemployment crisis and the urgent need to structure mass recruitment exercises safely.
Unemployment: A National Security Risk
This is the first major stampede in Ghana’s recent history, and it is not an isolated accident. It is a symptom of a widening gap between job seekers and opportunities.
Over the years, security experts, including the venerable Dr. Emmanuel Aning of the Kofi Annan International Peace Training Centre (KAIPTC), have repeatedly warned that joblessness poses a national security threat.
The World Bank has stated that Ghana faces a severe jobs challenge despite years of economic growth.Over 500,000 young people enter the job market every year, according to the Bank, yet job creation has not kept pace, leaving many stranded in low-quality or informal work.
The Bank has also warned that Ghana’s youth population will grow by 1.6 million over the next decade, reaching 11 million by 2035, with more than half of the population under 30 years old.
Currently, only 13% of workers aged 15–64 hold high-quality jobs. Low-skill and informal employment accounts for over 53% of the workforce.This mismatch between rising education levels and limited opportunities is fueling desperation and instability, as evidenced by the swelling numbers at such recruitments year in and year out.
For many of these applicants, the military and other security agencies represent the closest thing to a guaranteed, stable job in an economy where opportunities are scarce.
The promise of a steady income, housing, and social respect makes enlistment into these security services highly attractive—so much so that desperation drives thousands to risk their safety just for a chance to be considered.
But enlistments into these services have not been conducted openly and on a large scale for some time now.The then-opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) alleged that the exercises during those periods were either suspended or carried out quietly, fueling perceptions of limited access and favoritism.
This prolonged gap only heightened the desperation when the recent opportunity arose, as thousands saw it as their first real chance in years to secure a stable, respectable job.
That is why the stampede is more than a tragic accident—it is a wake-up call that unemployment is not just an economic statistic. It is a ticking time bomb.
If left unchecked, it will continue to manifest in ways that threaten public safety and national cohesion.
The Need for Proper Planning
While unemployment is the root cause, the incident also requires us to re-examine our planning and organization of public events. The Ghana Armed Forces is not new to this, and their record speaks of them as a disciplined, diligent, and trustworthy institution.
That is why one would expect them to infuse that discipline into how exercises of this nature are conducted, setting an example for other security agencies and institutions that require large gatherings of people.
The sight of thousands crammed into a single venue, competing for front-row positions, should never happen in a country with the capacity to digitise processes.
Why were applicants not staggered by time slots?Why was there no robust online pre-screening system to reduce physical congestion? These are questions the authorities must answer.Recruitment into security services is a sensitive national exercise. It demands meticulous planning—not ad hoc arrangements that endanger lives.
Political Points-Scoring
Sadly, even as families mourn, some political actors have rushed to exploit the incident for partisan gain.This is unacceptable. The loss of young lives should unite us in grief and resolve, not divide us further.
Political utterances that trivialize the tragedy or weaponise it for electoral advantage dishonour the victims and distract from the urgent reforms needed.
Leaders must rise above the urge to always seek political gain in every situation and focus on solutions.
What Next?
Firstly, the government must treat unemployment as a national emergency.
This means aggressive investment in job creation, skills development, and entrepreneurship—not lip service. This is why the government’s efforts to roll out the Big Push, the 24-Hour Economy policy, and the reformation of the mining sector around domestic value addition are vital.
Secondly, recruitment exercises must be restructured to prioritize safety and efficiency. Digital platforms and staggered schedules can drastically reduce congestion.Thirdly, social gatherings of this scale should be subject to strict safety protocols, with security personnel trained to manage crowds effectively and emergency measures duly activated.
Finally, we must confront the uncomfortable truth: Ghana’s youth are not lazy—they are desperate.They are willing to risk their lives for a job that pays a modest salary because the alternatives are bleak.
Until we fix this, tragedies like this will recur. The stampede at the military recruitment centre is a national tragedy.
But it can also be a turning point if we choose to act decisively. President John Mahama has shown clear and credible signs of capacity and commitment to reforming the country, and we must now rally behind him to achieve that.Ghana cannot afford to ignore the warning signs any longer.
Enrollment at Ghana’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions hasgrown by around 193% since 2020, signaling the country’s continued emphasis on skill education.
Building on this momentum, the Planet One is collaborating with the Ministry of Education to develop state-of-the-art TVET centres across the country.
This is the second phase of an ambitious initiative aimed at further transforming Ghana’s vocational education landscape and strengthening the broader ecosystem.
“The transformation underway in Ghana’s TVET sector is enabling the country to tap into the vast potential of its people and laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and prosperous future. The remarkable surge in enrollment reflects the aspirations of Ghana’s next generation and underscores the power of a holistic approach to education,” said Mr. Sanjeev Mansotra, Chairman of Planet One Group.
The continued development of Ghana’s vocational education system is essential for the nation’s progress. According to the World Bank’s 9th Economic Update, Ghana’s working-age population is expected to grow significantly over the next decade.
This demographic shift presents a major opportunity for economic expansion, provided the growing labour force can transition into productive employment. The report highlights the importance of structural reforms, private sector-led growth, and job creation, emphasising that investment in human capital and the digital economy will be key to Ghana’s resilience and long-term prosperity.
The first phase of TVET transformation began in 2019, when Planet One partnered with the government to overhaul vocational education. This initiative modernised 38 National Vocational Training Institutions, established two new foundry and machining centres, and upgraded the Opportunities Industrialisation Centre in Accra. Enhanced infrastructure, including hostels, classrooms, ICT labs, workshops, and industrial-grade equipment, has expanded capacity and made TVET accessible to students from both urban and rural communities.
Nearly 700 teachers and trainers have received up-to-date training, while new curricula have been introduced to align with Ghana’s industrial growth needs across 28 trades, including sectors vital to the country’s economic development. As a result, enrollment at TVET institutions has risen dramatically from 25,091 students in 2020 to 73,434 in 2024. Where vocational education was once viewed as a less attractive alternative to university, the initiative has removed barriers to access and created an aspirational environment for young people, including women who were previously underrepresented. Today, TVET is recognised as a gateway to opportunity, equipping students with practical skills and digital literacy for employment and entrepreneurship in key industries.
Phase two of the initiative, now underway, will further expand and modernise vocational training at the polytechnic level, introducing advanced workshops and laboratories to meet the demands of Ghana’s evolving economy.
The ISS African Futures study projects that, with continued investment in economic diversification, Ghana’s economy could grow at an average rate of 9% from 2025 to 2043, raising GDP per capita and lifting millions out of poverty. Transforming the TVET sector is central to this vision, providing the skilled workforce needed for industrialisation, value addition, and sustainable growth.
“As new graduates step into key industries, the positive impact of the government’s efforts will resonate throughout the Ghanaian economy, advancing national goals for industrialisation and inclusive growth. The ongoing transformation of Ghana’s vocational education system is opening doors for the next generation and laying the groundwork for sustained prosperity,” concluded Mr. Sanjeev Mansotra.
The Ghana Police Service has arrested four suspects in connection with the murder of the destooled Akwamuhene of Tanoso in the Bono East Region.
The suspects — Issifu Addae, alias Akwasi Addae; Stephen Gyamfi; Augustine Arhinful; and Martha Mansah — are currently in police custody assisting with investigations.
According to a police statement, four other individuals have been identified as persons of interest and are being pursued.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the deceased had been destooled as the Akwamuhene of Tanoso but reportedly rejected the decision and engaged the royal family in multiple litigations and disputes over the stool.
Police say efforts are ongoing to track down the remaining suspects to ensure they face the full rigours of the law.
Some military personnel taking a stroll in the Dadwen community
Police and the military on Wednesday conducted massive coordinated dawn swoops across the country where security personnel, state officials and journalists in the line of their constitutionally mandated duties came under attacks from hooligans.
The dadwen attackers who were arrested being guarded by the Police
During the multiple swoops, in which a contingent of about two thousand (2,000) men and women, drawn from Police and Armed Forces, backed by two Black Maria trucks, thousand and fifty suspects were rounded up.
A release dated Wednesday November 12, 2025 and signed by the Acting Director General, Public Relations of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), Captain (Navy) Veronica Adzo Arhin, said the GAF and Ghana Police Service are conducting simultaneous targeted and intelligence-led joint swoops in the Ashanti Region specifically Dadwene and Anwona, Volta Region at Ehi, and at Hwidiem, Kenyase, Goaso and Marhani in the Ahafo Region.
It continued that, “the operations, which started at dawn of Wednesday November 12, 2025 at all the locations, aimed at arresting identified persons involved in the recent attacks on members of National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) team, some police officers and officials of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including journalists.”
It went on that, “any individual or group that attempts to obstruct the operations of any of the security services in their anti-galamsey operation or in the performance of any other lawful duty will face the full force of the law.”
The Armed Forces and the Police, the release went on, “we wish to assure the general public that adequate measures have been put in place to ensure the safety and security of well-meaning inhabitants of these towns and communities. They are encouraged to remain calm and go about their regular duties without fear or panic.”
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Christian Tetteh Yohuno, who dispatched some of the scheduled officers as ground operations Commanders in an exclusive interview with The Chronicle did not mince words, in saying that the operation would be sustained to send clear signals to criminals that the security forces have no space to accommodate them.
Mr Christian Tetteh Yohuno in sounding a warning to criminals as Christmas nears, stated that the security services would do everything possible to unsettle and dismantle their networks.
Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, Ranking Member on the Committee on Defence and Interior
The Minority Caucus in Parliament has thrown a challenge to government to publicly declare its stance and action plan on the preliminary report into the August 6 military helicopter crash, which claimed several lives and shocked the nation.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 and signed by Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, Ranking Member on the Committee on Defence and Interior, the Minority said it was taking “the moral high ground” by refusing to politicise such a sensitive national security issue but insisted that full transparency and disclosure were essential.
“The Minority Caucus expects, in the spirit of transparency and full disclosure, to receive the whole report in order to offer our objective and comprehensive view on the findings,” the statement said.
It added that their intent was not to point fingers but to support the implementation of the report’s recommendations in the best interest of the country.
The Minority further urged the government to “boldly state their position and plans relative to the Helicopter Crash Investigation Report” and to lead the charge toward its full implementation.
Taking a subtle swipe at political opponents, the Caucus reminded those who previously politicised issues of military aircraft and presidential travel that the safety of Ghanaians and the professionalism of the Armed Forces must always take precedence over partisan interests.
Reaffirming its commitment to national unity, the Minority said it would continue to engage constructively to ensure that the recommendations of the report are implemented to prevent future tragedies.
The statement concluded with a message of sympathy to the bereaved families, describing the victims as “departed heroes” who paid the ultimate price in service to Ghana.
President Mahama with one of the injured at 37 Military Hospital
President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to immediately suspend its ongoing nationwide recruitment exercise following the tragic stampede at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra, that left six people dead and several others injured.
Speaking at the launch of the Nkoko Nketenkete programme in the Ashanti Region, the President described the incident as “deeply regrettable” and ordered a full-scale investigation to prevent future occurrences.
“I have asked the leadership of the Armed Forces to temporarily halt the recruitment exercise and conduct a full investigation. We must take a fresh approach to ensure such unfortunate incidents do not happen again,” President Mahama said.
President Mahama, accompanied by the CDS
The President, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, said the temporary suspension would allow for a review of the recruitment process to ensure greater safety, transparency and orderliness in future exercises.
Tragedy at El-Wak
The tragic incident occurred on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 when thousands of young Ghanaians thronged the El-Wak Sports Stadium for the GAF recruitment screening.
Witnesses said the crowd, desperate to secure a place in the Armed Forces, began pushing and forcing their way through the gates, triggering a deadly stampede.
By the time emergency services restored order, six people had lost their lives and at least 28 others were injured.
Of the 34 casualties recorded, five were in critical condition and receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the 37 Military Hospital. Twelve others were reported to be in fairly critical condition, while the remaining were stable and under observation.
Security personnel later cordoned off the area and diverted traffic to allow emergency medical teams to operate.
The bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the 37 Military Hospital morgue.
Acting Defence Minister Briefs Parliament
In a statement to Parliament, Acting Minister for Defence Cassiel Ato Forson confirmed the casualties and announced that the recruitment process in Accra had been suspended until further notice.
“Mr Speaker, I regret to report that there were 34 persons who were direct casualties, some of whom are potential recruits and others who were not related to the enlistment at all,” Dr Forson said, adding that “Out of these, six persons have been confirmed dead. Five are in critical condition and in the ICU.”
He said the Ghana Armed Forces had launched an internal Board of Inquiry to investigate the causes of the stampede.
“The Ministry of Defence deeply mourns the loss of life and extends condolences to the affected families.
“We are working closely with the Armed Forces, medical teams and law enforcement agencies to provide full support to the injured and to investigate the circumstances that led to this tragedy,” he told Parliament.
According to Dr Ato Forson, the decentralised recruitment exercise had been designed to “reduce congestion, ensure transparency and fairness, and enhance accessibility nationwide.”
He expressed regret that despite these measures, the process in Accra had turned fatal. He assured Parliament that the recruitment exercise in other regions was continuing smoothly and without incident.
MP Calls for Systemic Reform
The Member of Parliament for Takoradi, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, expressed condolences to the bereaved families and the Ghana Armed Forces, but said the tragedy should serve as a turning point in how recruitment into the security services is conducted.
“Mr Speaker, this is not the first time we have heard of such incidents during recruitment,” he said.
“It is time that our planning process is changed for the recruitment of our young men into the Ghana Armed Forces,” he added.
The MP urged the government to decentralise recruitment down to the constituency level and to spread the process over several days to avoid overcrowding.
“There is no point putting over 10,000 people together at a single point. We can do it over a week, 1,000 at a time. When you put so many people together, even the potential for disease transmission is high.”
He argued that young Ghanaians seeking to serve the nation should not be made to endure unsafe or humiliating conditions. “We should let them know they have a duty to serve this country — and when they want to serve, we should not be punishing them.”
Mr Darko-Mensah also emphasised the deeper issue of youth unemployment, describing it as the underlying cause of the desperation seen at El-Wak.
“If over 30,000 people are trying to get into the Ghana Armed Forces, which might have just about 3,000 or 4,000 spaces, then it shows that there is a critical need to address the issue of employment,” he said.
He urged policymakers to prioritise private sector job creation and entrepreneurship education, noting that only a small fraction of graduates find employment in government institutions.
Military Promise Accountability
In a statement issued after the tragedy, the Ghana Armed Forces expressed “deep regret” and assured the public that investigations were ongoing. Preliminary findings suggested that the stampede was triggered by “an unexpected surge of applicants who breached security protocols and rushed into the gates ahead of the scheduled screening at about 6:20 a.m.”
The GAF extended condolences to the families of the deceased and pledged to support the injured. It also promised to review security arrangements and crowd management procedures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Former Executive Director of the NSS, Osei Assibey Antwi
The Criminal Division of the Accra High Court has reviewed and reduced the bail amount for former Executive Director of the National Service Scheme (NSS), Osei Assibey Antwi, from GH¢800 million to GH¢623 million, while maintaining all other bail conditions.
The court made the decision after hearing arguments from both defense counsel and the prosecution.
Osei Assibey Antwi, a former Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister and ex-Mayor of Kumasi, is standing trial on 14 counts, including causing financial loss to the state, stealing, and money laundering.
Prosecutors allege that between 2021 and 2025, he orchestrated payments to more than 60,000 ghost national service personnel, causing losses exceeding GH¢500 million to the state.
He is further accused of diverting over GH¢100 million meant for the Kumawu Farm Project and personally receiving GH¢8.2 million through an e-zwich account linked to his biometrics.
In his application, defense counsel argued that the GH¢800 million bail sum was practically impossible to meet, describing it as “a record in the history of the court.”
He explained that, using an exchange rate of GH¢10 to US$1, the bail value translates to US$80 million, the equivalent of about 80 Grade-A houses in Accra’s East Legon or over 1,000 homes in Kumasi, each valued at GH¢500,000.
Counsel added that the substantive purpose of the bail, eliminating flight risk, had already been met, as the accused had deposited his passports with the court and been placed on the Ghana Immigration Service stop list.
“At this point, the applicant is only an accused person, not a convict. Bail should not be used as punishment even before trial,” counsel argued.
However, Principal State Attorney Dufie Prempeh opposed the request for variation, stating that while the prosecution was not opposed to bail itself, it objected to any change in the conditions.
She argued that the bail terms were reasonable and aimed to ensure that the accused appeared for trial.
“The accused is a former Deputy Regional Minister and former Deputy KMA Mayor. He can find men and women to stand as sureties for him,” she told the court.
In delivering the ruling, the court noted that bail assessment must consider the value of property and assets in relation to the charges faced.
The court, therefore, found merit in slightly varying the sum to GH¢623 million, while keeping all other terms intact.
The six sureties are required to justify the amount with landed properties of equal value and deposit copies of their identification documents with the court.
The accused must continue to report to the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) on the first and third Wednesday of every month, remain on the no-fly list, and keep all passports with the court registry.
Mr. Osei Assibey Antwi, who left the NSS in January 2025, has denied all allegations, expressing confidence that he will clear his name during the trial.
