Ghanaians want jobs, lower living costs in 2027 Budget – KPMG/UNDP survey

Job creation and the rising cost of living have emerged as the leading concerns Ghanaians want the government to address in the 2027 Budget, according to a pre-budget survey conducted by KPMG and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The findings suggest that citizens expect improvements in the country’s macroeconomic conditions to translate into more employment opportunities, greater purchasing power and tangible relief from the cost of living.

The survey highlights the gap between economic recovery indicators and the everyday concerns of households, placing pressure on the government to ensure that the 2027 Budget responds to the needs of ordinary Ghanaians.

Reliable electricity supply is another issue highlighted by respondents.

Only 36 per cent of those surveyed described the current power supply as reliable, underscoring concerns about electricity distribution and the quality of service delivery.

The findings point to the importance of improving power reliability, particularly for businesses that depend on consistent electricity to maintain operations, control costs and expand production.

Access to finance also emerged as an important concern, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The report recommends measures to make credit more accessible and affordable to support business operations, investment and expansion.

Improved access to financing could help businesses acquire equipment, increase production capacity and create employment opportunities.

The survey also highlights concerns about public expenditure, with 44 per cent of respondents expressing low confidence in the efficiency of government spending.

This points to the need for greater transparency, accountability and efficiency in the use of public resources.

The findings indicate that Ghanaians expect economic stability to be reflected in improved living conditions, stronger employment prospects and better public services.

For households, the priority is more jobs and relief from the rising cost of living.

Businesses, meanwhile, want predictable tax policies, reliable infrastructure and affordable financing to support investment and expansion.

The challenge for the government will be to align its spending and policy priorities with these concerns while creating an environment in which businesses can grow and generate sustainable employment.

As Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson prepares to present the 2027 Budget, the survey provides an indication of the issues citizens and businesses expect government to address in the coming fiscal year.