Accra, Ghana – Ghana’s parliament has narrowly averted a government shutdown by passing a provisional budget of 68.1 billion Ghanaian cedis ($4.65 billion) to fund operations through March, according to Parliamentary Speaker Alban Bagbin.
The late-night decision on Thursday resolved weeks of political deadlock, ensuring government operations continue uninterrupted as the nation transitions power. The budget’s approval comes just days before President-elect John Dramani Mahama is set to be sworn in after winning the December 7 election.
Mahama, who previously served as Ghana’s president from 2012 to 2016, returns to office amid lingering economic challenges. 
Outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo is slated to deliver his final state of the nation address on Friday after two terms leading Ghana, a major gold and oil exporter.
In Ghana, provisional budgets are typically passed in November during election years to cover the transition period before a new administration takes office. However, this year’s approval process was delayed by disagreements over whether the outgoing New Patriotic Party (NPP) or the incoming National Democratic Congress (NDC) holds a parliamentary majority.
Finance Minister Mohammed Amin Adam assured the joint business and finance committees that the delayed approval would not disrupt government activities. Former Finance Minister Seth Terkper highlighted the significance of the decision, stating, “It averts a government shutdown and the likelihood of worsening Ghana’s ongoing debt default saga.”
Approximately one-third of the approved budget is allocated for payments to energy-sector service providers. Mahama has previously warned of critical challenges in the energy sector, citing arrears of more than $2.5 billion and ongoing power supply issues.
Ghana is navigating its recovery from its worst economic crisis in a generation. As Mahama takes office next week, he inherits a nation striving to balance economic resurgence with substantial fiscal challenges.
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