The government has earmarked GH¢30 billion for its 2027 New Economy programme, with commercial agriculture expected to receive a significant share of the investment.
Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson announced the allocation while presenting the 2027 Budget Statement and Economic Policy to Parliament on Thursday, November 12, 2026.
He said the investment forms part of a wider GH¢30 billion commitment for the coming year, equivalent to US$10 billion under the government’s broader 2027–2030 investment plan, aimed at expanding businesses, boosting exports and creating employment opportunities.
According to the Finance Minister, the programme is intended to lay the groundwork for Ghana’s economic transformation while protecting macroeconomic stability and preserving the gains achieved in recent years.
Dr Ato Forson stressed that projects selected under the programme would undergo strict appraisal and value-for-money assessments before the government releases funds.
He added that all expenditure would be properly budgeted, authorised and transparently reported to ensure public resources are invested in strategic projects capable of delivering lasting benefits.
Commercial agriculture to receive US$3bn
Commercial agriculture has been identified as one of the key areas under the New Economy programme, with US$3 billion of the planned US$10 billion investment allocated to the sector.
The Finance Minister described agriculture as an important driver of economic growth, job creation and export development, noting that its benefits extend beyond crop production to activities such as transportation, processing, packaging and trade.
“Next year, we will invest GH¢30 billion into the New Economy. This will finance the foundation for the economic transformation needed to expand businesses, increase exports and create jobs for the Ghanaian people. Out of the US$10 billion equivalent, US$3 billion of that amount will be invested in Pillar Two, Commercial Agriculture,” he told Parliament.
Dr Ato Forson also raised concerns about Ghana’s continued reliance on imported food and agricultural products that could be produced competitively within the country.
He warned that spending billions of dollars on these imports puts pressure on the cedi, leaves the economy exposed to external price shocks and limits opportunities for local businesses and communities.
He argued that reducing avoidable food imports would create employment and stimulate economic activity across the agricultural value chain.
The Finance Minister said the proposed investment would help farmers gain better access to financing, encourage factories to resume operations and generate business for transport operators and other service providers.
“Every avoidable import is more than a customs entry into our country. It is a farm that was not financed, a factory that remained idle, a transport contract that was never signed and a job that was created elsewhere,” he said.
The government expects the New Economy programme to strengthen domestic production, support local businesses and create more employment opportunities as part of its broader strategy to build a more productive and resilient economy.
