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The Minister for Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has announced that the 2026 Budget Statement and Economic Policy is strategically designed to create up to 800,000 jobs across key sectors of Ghana’s economy.
Presenting the budget to Parliament on Thursday, November 13, Dr Forson highlighted that the government’s major infrastructure and industrial initiatives will serve as the primary drivers of large-scale employment creation.
He noted that road construction contracts worth GH¢63 billion under the Big Push initiative are expected to generate approximately 490,000 jobs, based on World Bank job-creation benchmarks for road sector investments.
In addition, three new garment factories currently under development are projected to deliver over 20,000 direct jobs. Seven agro-processing plants will also employ about 700 people directly while providing thousands of indirect jobs through their supply chains.
Dr Forson further revealed that the National Policy on Integrated Oil Palm Development, which will run from 2026 to 2032, is set to create about 250,000 jobs across the oil palm value chain. Meanwhile, the rollout of Farmer Service Centres nationwide will open employment opportunities in machinery operation, maintenance, logistics, and technical support services.
“These investments are interconnected; they form part of a coordinated national effort to translate economic stability into jobs and sustainable growth,” he said.
The Finance Minister also emphasised government’s commitment to strengthening the private sector, describing it as the engine of job creation. He disclosed that the National Investment Bank (NIB) has been recapitalised, while the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) and Consolidated Bank Ghana (CBG) will each receive GH¢1 billion in recapitalisation before the end of 2025.
Additionally, GH¢401 million has been allocated to the Women’s Development Bank to support small businesses and entrepreneurs, especially women traders and market operators. The facility is expected to empower business owners such as Lamisi Adam, Priscilla Yovu, and Caroline Sfeir, whom the Minister met during engagements at the Takoradi Market Circle and Kotokoraba Market.
