The Finance Minister, Honourable Cassiel Ato Forson has announced the reallocation of GH¢400 million to procure high-capacity buses for state-owned transport operators as part of efforts to improve public transportation across Ghana. Presenting the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review to Parliament on Thursday, July 23, he said the investment would strengthen the fleets of Metro Mass Transit and the State Transport Company (STC), improving access to reliable and affordable transport for commuters.
According to the Finance Minister, the additional buses will be deployed on busy urban and intercity routes where passengers regularly endure long queues during peak periods. The acquisition is expected to increase passenger capacity, reduce pressure on existing services and provide more dependable transport options.
“Government is committed to improving urban mobility and providing safe, reliable and affordable public transport for Ghanaians.”
Honourable Cassiel Ato Forson
He described the initiative as part of a broader strategy to improve urban mobility and enable state-owned transport operators to serve growing commuter demand. The investment also featured among the key policy measures outlined in the Mid-Year Budget Review, with government linking it to the need for a transport system capable of meeting increasing demand of expanding urban centres in Ghana.
Passengers travelling for work, education and other daily activities are expected to benefit from the expanded fleet, particularly on routes where transport shortages remain common. The allocation also supports the government’s wider agenda of improving public service delivery by strengthening the role of state-owned transport providers.
The transport intervention is part of a presentation on government expenditure and policy priorities before Parliament, after which the Finance Minister outlined additional budgetary measures. The GH¢400 million allocation stands out as one of the major transport sector interventions announced in the Mid-Year Budget Review, with implementation expected to focus on procuring buses for routes experiencing the highest passenger demand.
GH¢576m Reallocated For Flood Relief And Mitigation Measures
Government has reallocated GH¢576 million to strengthen disaster response and flood mitigation efforts following severe flooding in parts of Ghana. The Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel disclosed that GH¢350 million would finance emergency relief, while GH¢226 million has been earmarked for flood mitigation projects under the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources.
He revealed Parliament that although the Finance Committee approved a request under Article 177(1) of the Constitution in June 2026, government was unable to access the Contingency Fund because it was subject to a garnishee order issued by the Accra High Court. As a result, the administration adopted an alternative funding arrangement to support affected communities. The GH¢350 million was transferred from the contingency vote under the Finance Minister’s control to the Disaster Management Committee under the Ministry of the Interior.
“Given the urgency of protecting lives, providing humanitarian relief to affected communities and restoring critical infrastructure, government reallocated GH¢350 million.”
Honourable Cassiel Ato Forson
The funding will support humanitarian assistance and the restoration of infrastructure damaged by the floods, while the additional GH¢226 million will finance projects aimed at reducing the country’s vulnerability to future flooding. Government also intends to finance a long-term solution to recurring floods in Accra and other flood-prone communities, with the necessary allocations to be incorporated into the 2027 Budget and the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework.
The announcement follows the devastating floods of June 29, when hours of heavy rainfall inundated parts of Accra and other communities, damaging homes, businesses, roads and public infrastructure. Beyond the physical destruction, the flooding disrupted economic activity and displaced residents, renewing calls for greater investment in drainage systems, flood control infrastructure and improved urban planning.
To address the recurring problem, President John Mahama directed the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources to develop a comprehensive flood management strategy covering Accra and other vulnerable areas. The proposed plan will prioritise drainage improvements and other infrastructure designed to lessen the impact of future floods, while complementing emergency interventions with long-term resilience measures.
Immediate government actions have included relief for affected communities, restoration of damaged infrastructure and nationwide clean-up exercises following the disaster. The Mid-Year Budget Review identified flood management as a priority requiring sustained public investment, with government signalling its intention to combine emergency response with long-term infrastructure development to reduce the impact of recurring floods across Ghana.
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