2025 Budget: Cabinet targets spending cuts & tax reforms
Cabinet has approved Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson for review and approval.
The meeting, chaired by President John Mahama, aimed to align the budget and key policy proposals with the government’s overall agenda and campaign commitments made by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the last election.
A key focus of the presentation was to ensure that the final budget presented to Parliament reflected the party’s promises while also assessing the political impact of proposed measures.
Sources indicate that some policy proposals may be revised or dropped based on Cabinet’s deliberations.
Dr. Forson is expected to push for expenditure cuts in response to the current economic challenges, though specific areas for reductions remain unclear.
Additionally, he presented plans to streamline the tax structure, including adjustments to the Value Added Tax (VAT).
The government remains committed to scrapping certain levies, including the Betting Tax and COVID-19 Levy, as previously announced.
The Economic Adviser to the President, Seth Terkper, has expressed confidence that enhanced tax compliance will help offset revenue losses from tax removals.
Dr. Forson is set to present the finalized budget to Parliament on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.