Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson to Address Youth on 2025 Budget Amid Growing Concerns

In a bid to engage with the public ahead of the 2025 budget announcement, Ghana’s Finance Minister, Dr. Casiel Ato Forson, will interact with the youth this evening at 8 PM in a live session on X (formerly Twitter). This engagement follows his earlier interaction with market women at Makola, where he discussed pressing economic issues facing traders and businesses. With a very high level of despondency among the youth due to difficulty in finding employment while cost of living keeps going up, many young people will be looking forward to policies that can reverse the current difficulties that they face.

The 2025 budget, expected to be presented in Parliament soon, has generated considerable anticipation as many Ghanaians hope for significant changes aimed at easing the country’s economic challenges. Some key expectations include the removal of the controversial e-levy, the COVID-19 levy, and the betting tax—all of which have drawn widespread concern from various sectors of society.

Additionally, the budget is expected to introduce a substantial reduction in government expenditure, a move seen as critical in addressing the country’s growing fiscal deficit. It will also outline policies targeted at economic recovery and youth-focused initiatives, given the high unemployment rate and limited opportunities currently facing Ghana’s young population.

Dr. Forson’s decision to hold a live engagement on X reflects the government’s commitment to transparency and youth inclusion in the budgeting process. Many young Ghanaians, who have been vocal about their frustrations with the high cost of living, lack of job opportunities, and poor infrastructure, are expected to share their views and concerns during the session.

The Finance Minister has emphasized the importance of the youth in shaping the future of Ghana’s economy, stating that this year’s budget will focus on addressing challenges such as youth unemployment, creating a conducive environment for entrepreneurship, and enhancing opportunities for education and skills development.

Ghanaians across various sectors are hopeful that the budget will also address other critical issues, including inflation, exchange rate stability, and improving public services like healthcare and education. The government’s approach to tackling the economic downturn has drawn significant attention as citizens call for more concrete steps to revive businesses and reduce the cost of living.