Parliament passes appropriation bill

Parliament has approved the Appropriation Number Two Bill, 2025, authorising the government to withdraw GHS357 billion from the Consolidated Fund and other public funds, effective January 1, 2026, to finance government expenditure.

Under the 2026 budget, GHS90.7 billion has been allocated for compensation of employees, while GHS81 billion is earmarked for the payment of wages and salaries. The Appropriation Number Two Bill, 2025, also makes provision for GHS29.8 billion to settle outstanding arrears.

Meanwhile, the government has re-submitted the lithium mining agreement with Barari DV Ghana Limited to Parliament for consideration, after earlier withdrawing it to allow for further stakeholder consultations.

The agreement proposes a 5 per cent royalty rate, a move that has generated controversy, with critics arguing that it represents a reduction from the 10 per cent rate approved under the previous administration.

Government officials, however, say efforts are underway to undertake a comprehensive reform of Ghana’s mining royalty framework.