The Member of Parliament for the Bongo Constituency, Hon. Charles Bawaduah , has strongly defended the government’s 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review, arguing that the economic progress outlined by the Finance Minister cannot be ignored.
Speaking exclusively to Our Democracy News after the budget review was presented in Parliament, Hon. Bawaduah said the opposition’s reaction did not reflect the realities captured in the government’s economic performance.
According to the Bongo MP, the atmosphere in Parliament following the presentation showed that the opposition had little negative to say about the budget.
He explained that it is normal for Members of Parliament to engage in political chants, songs and heckling after a budget presentation, either to show approval or disapproval.
Hon. Bawaduah said MPs on the National Democratic Congress (NDC) side sang in praise of President John Dramani Mahama, celebrating what they described as the government’s efforts to fulfil its promises to Ghanaians.
“After the budget was read, normally parliamentarians will try to heckle and sing a few songs, either in approval or disapproval of the government,” he said.
He added that the NDC MPs celebrated President Mahama because they believed the government was implementing the commitments it made to Ghanaians.
“Ask yourself, what are they saying about the budget? Clearly, these are people who have nothing negative to say about the budget.”
Hon. Bawaduah , however, acknowledged that the cost of goods and services remained relatively high and had not yet reduced to the level many Ghanaians expected.
“Yes, it is true that the cost of goods may not be as low as we would have wanted. That is a concession, but this is an ongoing process.”
He argued that one of the government’s major achievements had been bringing stability to prices and preventing the frequent increases experienced under the previous administration.
According to him, although the cost of goods and services remains high, prices are no longer increasing daily or rapidly as they did in the past.
“At least, we do not have the expectation that the cost of goods, even though relatively high, will keep increasing on a daily basis, even on an hourly basis, as was the case under them.”
The Bongo MP said the government was continuing to work towards reducing the cost of living and improving the welfare of ordinary Ghanaians.
“The government is fighting to bring down the cost of goods and services. But before that is done, the government has ensured that they do not go up. That is a major plus.”
Hon. Bawaduah expressed confidence that the government’s economic policies would eventually lead to lower prices and help Ghanaians enjoy better living conditions.
“Moving forward, the government will continue to work to ensure that the cost of goods reduces, so that the ordinary Ghanaian will be able to have a decent life.”
He accused critics of failing to recognise—or deliberately refusing to acknowledge—the gains made by the government in managing the economy.
“They are pretending not to appreciate the gains made by the government in the management of the economy.”
Hon. Charles Bawaduah ’s comments form part of the growing political debate surrounding the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review, as the government highlights improvements in economic stability while the opposition continues to question whether those gains are being felt by ordinary Ghanaians.
