2026 budget: Ghanaians call for price relief, support for businesses

The Finance Minister is set to present the 2026 budget to Parliament on Thursday, November 13, 2025, outlining the government’s policies for the fiscal year.

Ghanaians are calling for the falling inflation to translate into lower prices for everyday goods.

After months of rising costs, inflation eased to 8.0% in October 2025, its lowest in over a decade, down from 54.1% just a few years ago.

While food and non-food inflation have declined and the cedi has stabilized, many households still feel the pinch at the market.

Citizens are urging the government and businesses to ensure that the gains in inflation are reflected in retail prices, so families can finally see relief in their daily expenses.

Ahead of the presentation, professional services firm KPMG survey has revealed some key expectations of Ghanaians for the budget.

There is a particularly strong demand for expanded access to low-cost finance, including grants, soft loans, and credit-guarantee schemes.

Fifty-eight respondents specifically emphasized the need for grants, affordable loans, and working-capital support to help businesses expand production and maintain operations.

Access to low-interest credit was also highlighted as critical for enabling the Government’s 24H-Economy programme.

Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) stressed that liquidity challenges, high interest rates, and limited access to credit continue to hinder expansion, job creation, and participation in government-led industrial initiatives.

Over 85% of respondents said that a grant or matching-fund scheme for SMEs would significantly or moderately improve their ability to invest in equipment and technology.

The survey further indicates that Ghana’s macroeconomic stabilisation efforts have been broadly successful and recognized by the private sector.

Yet, the business environment remains fragile, and many enterprises have yet to fully benefit from the government’s flagship initiatives.

KPMG’s 2026 Pre-Budget Survey collected insights from businesses across key sectors of the Ghanaian economy to assess the impact of current fiscal and economic policies.

The findings are intended to provide evidence-based guidance to inform the 2026 National Budget and future budget cycles, reflecting the priorities and needs of Ghanaians.