Ghana’s Budget: Why the Ordinary Citizen Wants Results, Not Figures, – Portia Akua Pinamang Explains
During a recent newspaper review on AIT TV, Miss Portia Nana Akua Pinamang, President of Corridors of Law and a well-known social activist, shared a viewpoint that mirrors the concerns of many Ghanaians. She explained that the ordinary Ghanaian is not focused on the technical details or economic figures that dominate the national budget reading. Instead, people are more interested in how the budget translates into real change in their lives and how it affects their pockets.
Miss Pinamang noted that citizens are increasingly worried about the lack of essential drugs in hospitals, the inadequate medical equipment needed to treat certain conditions, and the deplorable state of many roads across the country. After all the economic terminologies and impressive presentations, what Ghanaians expect to see is practical improvement. They believe in results, not promises. When a budget sounds good on paper but fails to reflect in daily living, it becomes a source of frustration.
She echoed the sentiments of the minority in Parliament, who pointed out that allocations mentioned during the budget presentation are meaningless if they do not materialise in real life. For the ordinary Ghanaian, an allocation that cannot be seen or felt has no value. Miss Pinamang stressed that instead of delivering beautifully structured numbers during budget readings, what citizens truly want is evidence of change in the markets, in hospitals, in schools, and in the overall quality of public services. Social amenities should show visible signs of the improvements that have been outlined on paper.
She added that only a small portion of Ghanaians follow the entire budget reading, but everyone pays attention when the effects begin to appear in their communities. That is when people truly know that the government is working. Her hope is that after all the technical discussions, the implementation phase will be intensified and carried out fairly to ensure the benefits reach the people.
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Miss Pinamang also encouraged the minority to go beyond criticism. While it is important to highlight shortcomings, it is equally necessary to propose alternatives and solutions that will support the government in implementing what has been outlined in the budget. In her view, collaboration, not criticism alone, is what will help move the nation forward.
