2026 Budget Debate: Set Up Lending Desks in Banks to Support Women— Mavis Nkansah Boadu

Ranking Member on the Employment, Labour Relations and Pensions Committee, Hon. Mavis Nkansah Boadu has delivered a fiery and incisive critique of the 2026 Budget, urging the government to move beyond rhetoric and take immediate, practical steps to address unemployment, private-sector stagnation and the lack of support for women-led enterprises.

Speaking during the Budget and Economic Policy Debate on the floor of Parliament, the Afigya Sekyere East MP insisted that her side of the House genuinely desires the government’s success but cannot overlook what she described as “glaring gaps, empty promises and misplaced priorities.”

Hon. Nkansah Boadu began by dismissing suggestions that the minority wishes failure for the administration.

“Mr Speaker, we do not wish for them to fail. We actually want them to succeed. If they fail, the country fails—and the good works of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the NPP government will be completely eroded.”

But she warned that the upbeat tone of the Finance Minister did not reflect the lived realities of ordinary citizens.

“Mr Speaker, as we speak, Ghanaians are not breathing any easier. Utility bills are up. Small businesses are suffocating. Food prices are unpredictable. Unemployment is at an all-time high.”

She described the claims of Hon. Cassiel Ato Forson, the finance minister, that “the economy is breathing again” as disconnected from the suffering of ordinary households.

A central focus of her critique was the government’s flagship 24-hour economy proposal.

Budget paragraph 1132 allocates GH¢110 million to support a shift system intended to boost productivity and create jobs.

But the MP was unconvinced:

“Mr Speaker, a meagre GH¢110 million for the most-touted programme? What exactly is this amount going to be used for? ”

She questioned whether the government had even conducted a proper demand assessment to determine which sectors genuinely require a shift-based system.

Drawing on her experience at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she noted that Ghana had previously operated a successful three-shift passport processing system — but only because demand justified it.

“If the NDC is telling us that the only example they can provide is DVLA—something that started under the NPP—then they have misled Ghanaians.”

She argued that the government’s economic priorities show no sign of a serious job-creation agenda, insisting:

“It makes the 24-hour economy look like a fancy campaign slogan with no real plan behind it.”

Hon. Nkansah Boadu stressed that sustainable employment can only be achieved when the private sector is supported — not stifled:

“Mr Speaker, the government cannot employ the entire population. Your job is to create an enabling environment. Unfortunately, this government has failed to do that.”

She pointed to abandoned promises — including tax breaks and tariff reductions — which the government had assured businesses would accompany the 24-hour economy rollout.

Turning to paragraph 1164 of the 2026 Budget, Hon. Nkansah Boadu addressed the revised allocation of GH¢401 million toward the yet-to-be-established Women’s Bank.

She reminded the House that in 2025, the government allocated GH¢51 million for the same initiative — but not a single disbursement or visible infrastructure has materialised.

“Mr Speaker, to establish a bank in Ghana, you need not less than GH¢400 million. The minority pointed that out. Suddenly, the government has made a U-turn.”

She posed a series of practical questions:

• Will the bank be built in all regions or only in Accra?
• How will market women from Kejetia or Makola access the funds?
• Is this another scheme destined to collapse like SADA, GYEEDA or the Brazil 2014 scandal?

In a major proposal that drew attention across the chamber, the MP urged the government to adopt an effective, sensible solution:

“Mr Speaker, I recommend that instead of creating a new bank, we establish lending desks for women in existing banks across the country. It is faster, cheaper, and ensures that every woman—from Kejetia to Makola—can access the funds.”

She stressed that the minority supports genuine empowerment of women but will not tolerate another wasteful venture:

“We support anything that uplifts Ghanaian women. But what we will not support is another ‘Yɛn ti sɛ di’ agenda.”

Hon. Nkansah Boadu ended her submission with a firm warning to the majority:

“His Excellency John Dramani Mahama has promised. We will ensure he walks the talk. Ghanaian women deserve better, and the private sector deserves better.”

Click the link Puretvonline.com | WhatsApp Channel to join the WhatsApp channel

GOT A STORY?

Contact/WhatsApp: +233243201960 or manuelnkansah33@gmail.com