A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Communication Team in the Ashanti Region and Board Member of Ghana Goldbord Jewellery Limited, Evangelist Richard Prah, has expressed strong optimism that the 2026 Budget presented by Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, will bring significant relief to small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) and the Ghanaian public.
Speaking on Kumasi-based Ultimate FM’s Cup of Tea show, Mr. Prah highlighted several key interventions captured in the budget, noting that government has committed to accelerating infrastructural development including roads, flyovers, healthcare facilities, educational infrastructure and major expansions within the agriculture sector. These interventions, he said, aim to create more jobs in the Ashanti Region and across the country to help reduce the high rate of youth unemployment.
He referenced the newly launched “Nkoko Nkitinkiti” Initiative, unveiled on Wednesday at the Jubilee Park in Kumasi, which was incorporated into the 2026 Budget. The programme seeks to boost local poultry production while drastically reducing the importation of chicken – what he described as “spare parts,” arguing that they are unhealthy and undermine economic growth.
Mr. Prah said the NDC government has already recorded impressive economic progress, citing a 6.3% GDP growth in the first half of 2025 compared to 5.1% during the same period in 2024. He added that the agriculture sector grew strongly at 6%, up from 2.5% the previous year. The services sector also expanded by 8.8%, driven by ICT, finance, and education; with education alone growing by 14% during the period.
Touching on education financing, he revealed that GHS 3.5 billion has been allocated to the Free Senior High School programme in President John Dramani Mahama’s first year in office. He contrasted this with what he claimed was the NPP’s total allocation of GHS 9.9 billion over its entire eight-year period. According to him, this exposes false claims that the NDC planned to scrap the Free SHS policy.
“If you want to improve your lying skills, join the NPP, lying is in their DNA. But if you want the truth, join the NDC,” he remarked.
Mr. Prah also commended government for scrapping the COVID-19 Recovery Levy, describing it as a burden that had long frustrated businesses. He acknowledged that while taxes are necessary for national development, the removal of this levy will provide meaningful relief to traders and entrepreneurs now that the pandemic is no longer a threat.
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He concluded by praising the government’s “Big Push” Agenda, stating that the country will soon witness major improvements on critical road networks, including the Accra–Kumasi Expressway and other strategic routes across the regions; projects he says are clearly captured in the 2026 Budget.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Emmanuel Anyam
