Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, says the 2026 Budget has been crafted with a strong focus on employment, aiming to create up to 800,000 new jobs across key sectors of the economy.

Presenting the 2026 Budget Statement and Economic Policy to Parliament on Thursday, November 13, Dr. Forson said the government’s infrastructure and industrial development initiatives are expected to drive substantial job growth nationwide.

He disclosed that road projects valued at GH¢63 billion under the Big Push programme are projected to contribute the majority of the new jobs.

Based on World Bank metrics for employment linked to road construction, these investments are expected to generate approximately 490,000 positions, including both skilled and unskilled work.

The minister also highlighted ongoing industrialisation efforts, revealing that three new garment factories under construction will provide more than 20,000 direct jobs once operational.

In addition, seven new agro-processing facilities are set to employ about 700 people directly, with thousands more benefiting indirectly through value-chain activities.

Touching on the agricultural sector, Dr. Forson said the rollout of the National Policy on Integrated Oil Palm Development, covering 2026 to 2032, is expected to create around 250,000 jobs along the oil palm value chain.

The establishment of Farmer Service Centres across the country will also open up employment in equipment operations, logistics, repairs and other support services.

“These investments are not isolated; they are part of an integrated national effort to turn stability into jobs and growth,” he told lawmakers.

To support the private sector — which he claimed as the engine of job creation — he announced that government has recapitalised the National Investment Bank (NIB), and will inject GH¢1 billion into the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) and Consolidated Bank Ghana (CBG) by the end of 2025.

He further stated that GH¢401 million has been allocated to the Women’s Development Bank to expand access to financing for small businesses, particularly female entrepreneurs and market traders.

Sompaonline.com/Derrick Djan