Ranking member on Parliament’s Finance Committee, Isaac Adongo, expressed his disappointment with the 2024 mid-year budget, stating that it offered no assurance to Ghanaians.

In an interview on Joy FM’s Top Story on Tuesday, July 23, he remarked that the budget was presented merely to fulfill a requirement and that the government has nothing new to offer.

“When you go and sit at where they are playing draft and ask them what the minister said in Parliament, I would be surprised if anybody can remember one thing because there was nothing to take home,” he said.

According to Adongo, Ghanaians will continue to suffer until the end of the year unless there is a change in government.

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He explained that he expected some taxes to be abolished to provide relief and improvement in the lives of Ghanaians, but this did not happen.

Adongo further criticized the budget, stating that it is difficult to live in the country, noting, “Ghana is one of the countries with a very high cost of living. Then you have your minister present the mid-year budget, and there is nothing strategic, no game changer to take home.”

However, the Deputy Minister, Stephen Amoah stated that the government's acknowledgment of Ghanaians' suffering and non-introduction of new taxes in the mid-year budget review is in the right direction.

Mr. Amoah emphasized that the government is focusing on other social interventions to provide relief.

He mentioned initiatives such as launching SMEs and committing about GH₵8.2 billion to create jobs and support entrepreneurs in the country.

"The fact that we did not introduce or increase any new tax, we are spending within our appropriation. So what kind of relief do they want?" he asked.