Upper East Roads Featured in Budget: 'A Big Win for the Region'

The Member of Parliament for Garu, Dr. Thomas Winsum Anaba, has expressed satisfaction with the inclusion of key road projects in the Upper East Region in the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review presented by the Finance Minister, Dr. Cassel Ato Forson.

Speaking to ExpressNewsGhana, in Parliament, Dr. Anabah said the road infrastructure commitments in the budget give hope to residents of the region and signal the government’s commitment to regional development.

“I am very happy that the Bolga to Bawku-Pulmakom road has been captured. Bawku is the central town of the Kusaug Traditional Area, and this project will greatly ease travel and economic activities,” Dr. Anabah stated.

He added that the proposed rehabilitation of roads linking Nakpanduri, Garu, Binduri, Tempane, and Kulungungu as part of the Eastern Corridor development will significantly improve accessibility and integration across the region.

According to the Garu MP, the overall tone of the budget review is reassuring, with indications that the economy is stabilizing.

“The minister’s presentation was comforting. It shows that the policies put in place by the government are yielding positive results. Inflation is coming down, interest rates are dropping, and the cedi is stabilizing,” he said.

Dr. Anaba also commended the government’s economic management efforts and urged Ghanaians to remain patient and supportive as the policies continue to take effect.

The Finance Minister’s Mid-Year Budget Review touched on fiscal performance, revenue mobilization, and government spending, while also announcing additional investments in infrastructure and social services across the country.

Highlights from the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review

The 2025 Mid-Year Budget, presented under the theme “Sustaining Progress, Protecting the Ghanaian”, detailed notable improvements in key economic indicators:

On Cedi Stabilization, the Finance Minister said, Ghana cedi has appreciated steadily against major trading currencies. The cedi-to-dollar rate, which hovered around GH¢14.50 in early 2025, has strengthened to about GH¢11.20, representing a significant gain in currency value.

In respect of credit rating upgrade, Hon Forson indicated that Ghana’s sovereign credit rating has improved from junk status to a “B-” rating, reflecting increased investor confidence and macroeconomic stability.

Touching on inflation decline, the Minister explained that inflation has dropped from 38.1% at the end of 2024 to 25.4% as of June 2025, with the Finance Minister projecting a single-digit inflation target by early 2026.

The fiscal consolidation of the budget deficit, he noted has narrowed to 5.8% of GDP, down from 7.3% in 2024, while government spending has been refocused on infrastructure, health, and education.

Ghana’s foreign reserve growth, according to Hon Ato Forson have risen to $6.3 billion, representing over 3 months of import cover, compared to $4.1 billion in the same period last year.

This, Dr Anaba praised President Mahama’s renewed directive encouraging citizens and businesses to prioritize the use of the Ghana cedi in daily transactions.

“Our identity is tied to our currency. The cedi is who we are, and President Mahama’s call for trading in our local currency is one of the best decisions. It boosts confidence and strengthens our economic independence,” he stressed.

Touching on infrastructure, the MP endorsed the Mahama led administration’s renewed focus on road development as a strategic pillar for economic transformation.

“When you travel to developed countries like the U.S., Canada or the U.K., you’ll see that infrastructure is what defines their development. President Mahama’s focus on road construction, especially if 10 kilometres of road can be built annually in each constituency, will revolutionize access and productivity,” he noted.

Minority Walk Out

On the walkout staged by Minority MPs ahead of the Finance Minister’s presentation, Dr. Anaba described it as unfortunate and unnecessary.

“This was an important national exercise. Ghanaians were eagerly waiting to hear the Minister. The Minority’s decision to walk out and introduce election-related matters at such a crucial time was inappropriate. They’ve had several opportunities to raise such issues, and it shouldn’t have been done to disrupt the budget process,” he remarked.

Source: Felix Nyaaba/expressnewsghana.com