Budget Debate Turns Heated — MPs Split on Security, Cocoa, and Economic Outlook
The Majority and Minority in Parliament had different things to say about the 2026 budget statement last Friday. The Majority called it a “budget of hope,” while the Minority told people to be careful when reading it. Peter Lanchene Toobu, an NDC MP for Wa West, praised the budget for its focus on respect, good jobs, and a shared national goal for a wealthy, fair, and democratic Ghana. He talked about plans to update the Ghana Armed Forces, such as getting the Navy two planes and two security boats for the ocean. On the other hand, Dr. Isaac Yaw Opoku, an NPP MP for Offinso South, spoke out against the budget and asked what promises the NDC planned to keep. He used examples of broken promises to cocoa farmers to show his point, and he warned that the cocoa industry could fail under the NDC. Dr. Opoku told MPs that former President Akufo-Addo raised the price of cocoa at the farm gate from GH¢475 to GH¢3,100 per bag and helped COCOBOD become self-sufficient. While most people were happy about the increase in cocoa output, Dr. Opoku said it was a business that was bankrupt and relied on $2.6 billion in savings. He said that if it ever went bankrupt again, it would be the NDC’s fault. The conversation showed how deeply divided people are on both sides of the political spectrum over the budget’s claims, goals, and expected effects on Ghana’s economy and people.
