Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has announced that the 2026 Budget is specifically designed to generate up to 800,000 new jobs across various sectors of the Ghanaian economy.

Presenting the budget in Parliament on Thursday, Dr. Forson said that government’s investments under the “Big Push” road infrastructure programme, totaling GH¢63 billion in contracts awarded so far, are expected to create approximately 490,000 jobs, consistent with World Bank metrics on job creation from road investment.

He highlighted other key initiatives, including three new garment factories projected to create over 20,000 direct jobs, and seven agro-processing plants that will employ about 700 people directly and thousands more through supply chains.

Dr. Forson also pointed to the National Policy on Integrated Oil Palm Development, which is expected to generate 250,000 jobs across the value chain, and the Farmer Service Centres, which will engage thousands in machinery operation, maintenance, and logistics.

“These investments are not isolated; they are part of an integrated national effort to turn stability into jobs and growth,” the Finance Minister said.

He further emphasised that government is putting real capital behind the private sector, which remains the engine of jobs and economic expansion.

To support this effort, Dr. Forson noted that the National Investment Bank has been recapitalized, and plans are underway to recapitalize the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) and the Consolidated Bank Ghana) CBG with GH¢1 billion before the end of 2025

He also highlighted that GH¢401 million has been allocated to the Women’s Development Bank to provide affordable financing to small businesses and entrepreneurs, particularly women traders and market operators.

Dr Forson mentioned that the facility will support business owners such as Lamisi Adam, Priscilla Yovu, and Caroline Sfeir, whom he met during his engagements at the Takoradi Market Circle and the Kotokoraba Market.