Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has warned that Ghana cannot afford recklessness in handling public finances, stressing that responsible economic management requires discipline, transparency, and careful planning.

Dr. Forson made the remarks while presenting the 2026 Budget Statement on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, November 13, under the theme “Resetting for Growth, Jobs and Economic Transformation.”

“Mr. Speaker, we have learned a powerful truth. Fiscal discipline is the backbone of national progress. There’s no shortcut to responsible economic management.

"Never again must we allow recklessness, waste, and indiscipline to define how we handle the people’s money,” he said.

The Minister highlighted the government’s commitment to restoring integrity and transparency in public finances, stating that President John Mahama’s administration will safeguard the nation’s resources.

“The government has chosen a harder but higher road, the road of reform, renewal, and resilience. We have restored fiscal discipline, brought inflation under control, stabilised the cedi, and rekindled investor confidence,” he added.

Dr. Forson described the 2026 budget as part of a “reset”, aimed at ensuring sustainable economic growth, job creation, and long-term prosperity for Ghanaians.