A lecturer at the Kumasi Technical University, Dr. Samuel Afriyie has strongly criticized the government over the 2026 national budget presented by the Minister of Finance, Hon. Cassel Ato Forson, describing it as a “manifesto implementation budget” filled with propaganda aimed at satisfying the ruling NDC government.
Speaking to Oheneba Nana Aseidu on Wontumi TV, he said the budget lacks genuine development plans and was crafted mainly to score political points. He further alleged that the NDC government is spending large sums of money every month to artificially stabilize the cedi against the dollar, instead of adopting sustainable economic measures.
Dr. Afriyie also expressed deep disappointment over the government’s inability to construct the proposed express railway line from the Ashanti Region to Greater Accra within three years. He claimed that the persistent push for the project is merely an attempt to siphon public funds, insisting that the government has no real intention or capacity to complete it.
He emphasized that significant portions of the road network linking the Ashanti Region to Greater Accra are already in good condition and fully operational. Therefore, he argued that the government should prioritize fixing the remaining sections of the road rather than pursuing what he described as an unrealistic railway project.
In conclusion, Dr. Afriyie stated that the government cannot complete the express railway within the proposed three-year timeline. He urged authorities to focus on rehabilitating and improving the Ashanti–Accra Road corridor instead of pursuing what he termed insincere and impractical railway ambitions.
Source: wontumionline.com
