"The Budget is Empty, Hopeless, Jobless and Growthless": Former Finance Minister
- Former Finance Minister, Dr Mohammed Adam, has criticised the 2026 budget presented by Dr Cassiel Ato Forson
- Adams described the budget as 'empty, hopeless, jobless, and growthless', calling it a plan without vision
- His comments sparked mixed reactions from Ghanaians following the budget presentation on November 13, 2025
- Abdul Karim, a member of the ruling NDC, shared his views on this in an interview with YEN.com.gh
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A former finance minister under the erstwhile New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, has slammed the 2026 budget statement presented by his successor, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson.
Speaking to the media after the budget was presented on Thursday, November 13, 2025, Dr Adam suggested it lacks vision and concrete plans to address the country's pressing economic challenges.
Source: Facebook
The former finance minister, who is the Member of Parliament for Karaga, described the 2026 budget statement as 'empty, hopeless, jobless, and growthless'.
He further suggested that the budget should provide a clear roadmap for job creation, economic growth, and poverty reduction.
Reactions to Adam's statement on 2026 budget
Dr Adams' description of the budget sparked reactions from Ghanaians on social media.
YEN.com.gh compiled a few of the reactions below:
@UmuofiaPresiden said:
"These people are still in denial. They will stay in opposition for 64 years."
@shushandspy also said:
"Are we really part of Gods creation because what is this, ask him what he thinks is hopeless and growthless about the budget and see him fumble. Why can’t we be positive and hope the country becomes better for us all rather than go on with this partisan whatever."
@leroipapsi commented:
"What did he do during his Tenure in Office?"
@Trending_Ghana_ also commented:
"Of course because if it were upto them they will create many loopholes to exploit for their benefit but since they are out it hurts to see someone else do exceedingly better within less than a year compared to the nonsense the npp and this man plus his on the run predecessor did."
The X post about Dr Adams' criticism of the 2026 budget presentation is below:
NDC activist critiques Dr Adam’s Budget assessment
Speaking to YEN.com.gh, Abdul Karim, a member of the ruling NDC, responded to Dr. Mohammed Adam's assessment of the 2026 budget, stating that it showed a lack of updated understanding of the Ghanaian economy.
He said he found it surprising that Dr. Adams, a former Finance Minister, would make such comments less than a year after leaving office, suggesting that Dr. Adams had forgotten the state of the economy.
Karim also criticised Dr. Amin Anta, questioning his morality and understanding of prudent fiscal measures.
The NDC activist defended the current budget, stating that it was anchored in consolidation, not stagnation.
Karim further accused Dr. Anta of being involved in past economic mismanagement and therefore not credible to criticize the current administration's economic efforts.
"Dr. Mohammed Adam’s assessment of the 2026 budget exposes his lack of updated understanding of the Ghanaian economy. What he stated remains empty. He must be reminded that he left office less than a year ago. How could he have forgotten so soon? For the former Finance Minister to have stated that the Ghanaian cedi should strengthen to 8 cedis proves that he has admitted the economy has truly rebounded and is on the path of growth and sustainability, exposing a lost memory in his thoughts," he said.
"Amin Anta lacks the morality to understand prudent fiscal and disciplinary economic measures. Ato Forson’s budget is anchored in consolidation, not stagnation. After Dr. Amin Anta’s collaboration with Ken Ofori-Atta in turning the Ghanaian economy into economic turbulence, he can’t still believe that a powerful young man could turn things around and repurpose the Ghanaian economy toward growth," he added.
Ato Forson expresses confidence in Ghana's economy
Ghana's Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has said that the economy under his watch is performing far better than what he inherited.
The Finance Minister claimed Ghana’s economy is on a rebound, steadily recovering from the challenges he inherited from his predecessor.
According to Ghanaweb, he said:
“Ghana’s economy is breathing again, stronger, steadier, and full of promise. This is not just a recovery; it’s a reset. It’s the story of a nation that refused to stay down.
“This is the rebirth from the ashes of a daunting inheritance - a heavy burden laid upon us by the previous administration,” he added.
Dr Ato Forson attributed the successes chalked up so far in the management of the economy to the sacrifices and resilience of the Ghanaian citizenry.
Source: Facebook
Gov't targets 800,000 jobs in 2026 budget
In a related development, YEN.com.gh reported that the government had announced that it plans to create up to 800,000 new jobs as part of key polices.
Dr Ato Forson explained that the Big Push would be key to this projection, with experts welcoming the news and calling for a transparent outcome assessment.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
