Pwc Ghana Hosts 2025 Budget Digest, Engages Stakeholders On Economic Outlook

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Ghana has hosted its annual Budget Digest Forum, bringing together economic experts, business leaders, and policymakers to analyse the 2025 National Budget. The event which was held in Accra on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, provided a platform to assess government fiscal policies and explore strategies for economic recovery.

The event, themed “Resetting the Economy for the Ghana we want” was hosted by Vish Ashiagbor, Country Senior Partner at PwC Ghana.

Notable speakers and panelists at the forum included former Finance Minister Seth Terkper, legal and economic analyst Goosie Tanoh, and John Dumelo, Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture. Also on the panel were key industry leaders such as Dan Acquaye, Executive Director of Agri-Impact Consult (agriculture representative), Nora Bannerman Abbott, CEO of Sleek Garments Exports Ltd (AGI representative), Kofi Fynn, Managing Director of Petra (financial services representative), and Hayfron Aboagye, Partner at PwC Ghana and a Public Financial Management (PFM) expert.

PwC Ghana’s Pre-Budget Reading Survey highlighted major concerns among business leaders, with 68% of respondents prioritizing currency stability and 66% calling for debt reduction. Rising debt levels, inflation, and currency fluctuations were identified as critical challenges affecting businesses and investment.

Addressing the forum, Seth Terkper stressed that while the government has introduced ambitious programs, revenue mobilization remains a challenge. He cautioned that tax reforms should not disproportionately burden the formal sector while leaving the informal sector largely untapped. He also stressed on the fact that Ghana has attained upper middle income status with per capita about USD 4,000 and we are likely to lose some or substantial concessional financing and grants.

Goosie Tanoh echoed similar concerns, advocating for private sector led initiatives and calling for a more conducive business environment to drive economic growth.

The panel also explored growth prospects in key sectors such as energy, agriculture, transport, and education. PwC analysts highlighted major initiatives outlined in the 2025 budget, including the GH¢1.5 billion Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda (AETA) and the $10 billion “Big Push” infrastructure policy, both of which have the potential to drive economic expansion if implemented effectively.

Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture John Dumelo, known for his advocacy in agribusiness, outlined the government’s efforts to strengthen the sector. He introduced the ‘Nkoko Nkitinkiti’ initiative, which aims to distribute poultry to over 55,000 households to reduce imports and boost local production. He also highlighted plans to secure and irrigate farmlands to encourage youth participation in agriculture. The 2025 PwC Budget Digest Forum reaffirmed the importance of stakeholder engagement in shaping economic policies. PwC Ghana Senior Partner Vish Ashiagbor closed the session by emphasizing the need for stronger collaboration between the government and the private sector to ensure sustainable economic growth. The forum provided a vital platform for business leaders, policymakers, and financial experts to discuss Ghana’s economic trajectory and propose practical solutions for long-term stability and growth.