Member of Parliament (MP) for Mion, Misbahu Mahama Adams, has expressed strong approval for the allocations to the various sectors in the recently presented 2026 Budget and Economic Policy.
The MP described the funding figures as “generous” and crucial for advancing Ghana’s development.
According to the MP, the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation and its agencies have been allocated a total sum of “a little over 1.2 billion Ghana Cedi” in the 2026 budget.
This comprehensive allocation covers three primary expenditure categories: compensation to employees, goods and services, and capital expenditure (CAPEX).
Mr. Adams emphasised that this substantial funding is sufficient to drive the ministry’s key priorities, including expanding rural connectivity and strengthening national cybersecurity.
Key Agency Funding Highlights:
- Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC): An allocation of GHS 30 million has been budgeted specifically for GIFEC. This funding is targeted at supporting the agency’s goal of connecting approximately 2,016 communities with rural telephony services, including voice and data access. The MP noted the direct impact this will have on rural constituents, stating, “This will help rural communities like Myang, for example, get access to internet services and other support services.”
- Cybersecurity Authority: The budget includes provisions to enhance the government’s ability to defend against digital threats. Highlighting the scale of the challenge, the MP noted that in 2025, 1,200 critical government systems were monitored, successfully fending off about 45,000 cyber attacks. The 2026 target is to launch a massive public awareness campaign, reaching approximately 1 million citizens through social media and in-person training to bolster national digital security.
Support Pledged for AI Legislation and Non-Budgetary Funding
Responding to concerns that specific allocations for critical institutions like the National Communications Authority (NCA), Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), and the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) were not prominently detailed, the MP maintained confidence in the overall GHS 1.2 billion envelope.
“As I was saying, for me, I think whatever was in the budget was adequate for me personally, because it was 1.2 billion Ghana cedi, a little over 1.2 billion Ghana cedi. So it’s enough,” he reiterated.
He committed to legislative support for any future needs:
“If there is the need, there’s a justified need, and they come back as a committee who will support them, and then we go back to the minister of finance to see, by way of media review, to see if something can be allocated again for them to continue their projects and programs.”
On the ministry’s ambitious focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its regulation, Mr. Adams acknowledged the substantial investment required for this “new kid on the block.”
He pledged his committee’s readiness to facilitate the necessary legal and regulatory framework:
“So as a committee, we are ready to support the Communication Ministry, support NCA, and support the Cyber Security Authority to come up with ideas, plans, and then investments that will help them so that for a country we can benefit and also protect ourselves from the other side, I mean, the other negative issues that the AI will bring on board.”
He confirmed the committee’s role in advancing legislative changes to align Ghana with the requirements of the global AI landscape, saying, “We are ready to support them anytime to go through the legislative processes to be able to get new laws that would help the country.”
Rural Constituencies to Benefit from Infrastructure ‘Big Push’
Beyond the digital sphere, the MP commended the government’s “Big Push” programme aimed at transformative national infrastructure development. He confirmed that his predominantly agrarian constituency of Mion is set to benefit directly.
- Eastern Corridor Road: This major arterial route, crucial for transporting farm produce from the north to Accra and other major economic hubs, is a direct beneficiary of the Big Push.
- Constituency Roads: Mr. Adams also cited a budget line that allocates GHS 3 billion for the construction of 10-kilometre roads across approximately 166 constituencies nationwide, confirming, “My constituency is definitely going to benefit from this one.”
- Synergy with Roads Ministry: He noted that the ‘Big Push’ funding supplements the Ministry of Roads and Highways’ regular budget allocation of about GHS 4.3 billion, ensuring widespread road development.
Optimism for Youth Job Creation
The MP concluded by expressing great optimism regarding the budget’s focus on job creation, particularly for the youth, applauding the Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.
“So by way of job creation, a lot has been promised in the budget, and we are upbeat and waiting for that.”
He cited ongoing and planned government initiatives:
- Continued success of the Youth Employment initiatives, noting that “A lot of my constituents have already got hooked up.”
- Upcoming security services employment drives.
- The expansion of the Adumawura initiative from 2025.
- The “one-million-coders programme” which aims to develop digital skills among the youth.
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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
