Tamale, Ghana — The 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review presented by Ghana’s Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, has come under sharp criticism from sections of the public and policy analysts who argue that the government is prioritising political spin over the economic truth.

In a strongly worded critique, celebrated media practitioner, Osman Sharif Governor of Radio Tamale 91.7 described the budget as “a classic example of how political spin can overshadow economic truth,” accusing the government of painting an overly optimistic picture of the economy while ignoring the lived experiences of ordinary Ghanaians.

The Finance Minister, in his address to Parliament, touted signs of macroeconomic stability, highlighting reduced inflation rates, a relatively strengthened cedi, and a narrowing fiscal deficit.

However, critics argue that these indicators are largely the result of harsh International Monetary Fund (IMF) conditionalities, deepening austerity measures, and a continued reliance on external borrowing.

While ordinary Ghanaians are suffocating under high taxes, joblessness, and rising utility tariffs, the government is busy congratulating itself for stabilising indicators that mean little at the kitchen table, Governor said.

Analysts say that beyond the optimistic tone, the review failed to address critical areas of public concern, including stalled infrastructure projects, a perceived decline in education quality, and increasing stress within the public health sector.

Meanwhile, debt servicing alone now accounts for more than half of national revenue, leaving limited fiscal space for development and social support programmes. Critics warn that rather than a true recovery, the nation is witnessing a repackaging of crisis.

This is not a recovery. It’s a repackaged crisis brushed up with borrowed success and presented as national progress, Governor added.

As Ghanaians grapple with the realities of economic hardship, the government’s apparent detachment from these conditions raises questions about transparency, accountability, and the direction of public policy.

Observers are now calling for a more honest national conversation, one that moves beyond favourable statistics and focuses on policies that deliver meaningful relief and sustainable growth.

Report By: Robicon Mornahson