Stability done, jobs next – Ato Forson declares New Economy focus
Speaking to faculty and students at the University of Ghana on Saturday, October 17, 2026, and earlier to the leadership of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) on October 5, Dr. Forson said the next phase of the government’s economic agenda dubbed the “New Economy” will move from macro to micro.”Stabilisation was never the destination. It was the price of entry,” the Minister declared.
According to him, the NDC manifesto envisaged spending the first half of its tenure stabilising the economy before moving to job creation and improved incomes.
“If you look at the NDC manifesto, you will realise that we said we will spend half of our time to stabilise the economy. After we have locked that in, we will move towards the micro, and that is where we are going now,” he told the TUC.
“You will now see us entering the micro economy, where jobs, I mean decent jobs, are created.”
Dr. Forson noted that inflation has come down, confidence is returning, and debt pressures are being managed, but recovery alone is not enough.
“Ghana has fought hard to restore stability. Inflation has come down. Confidence is returning. Debt pressures are being managed. The economy is recovering. But recovery is not enough.”
He explained that the central purpose of the New Economy is to turn stability into production, exports, investment, decent jobs and higher incomes.
The vision is a Ghana that produces more of what it consumes, adds value to its agricultural produce and mineral resources, and creates decent jobs at scale. It also places public investment at the service of private enterprise, opening space for businesses to invest, expand and employ more Ghanaians.
“Our next step is clear: turn economic stability into decent jobs and better livelihoods. Through the New Economy, we will grow businesses, create opportunities and put the Ghanaian worker at the heart of our economic transformation,” he said.
The Minister added that when businesses do well and people are paid decent salaries, basic aspects of society such as housing improve automatically.
The blueprint for the New Economy, which includes a $10 billion investment in strategic sectors over the next four years, is expected to be fully unveiled in the 2027 Budget.
President John Dramani Mahama has also tasked Ghana’s ambassadors to attract foreign investment and open export markets to support the agenda.
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