Over 70% of Ghanaians expect jobs and youth employment as top priorities in 2027 Budget-KPMG/UNDP survey

Results from a survey by the Auditing and Advisory firm KPMG and the United Nations Development Programme has revealed that 71.0% of respondents want jobs and youth employment to be national priorities in the 2027 Budget. This indicates the country’s priorities in the new year. 54 percent of the respondents identify the cost of living as a key national priority apart from the growing unemployment situation in the country.

The survey highlights issues businesses and citizens want the budget to address. On the country’s tax regime, 90.0% of respondents want to know about the tax changes in advance to help plan their organisation with at least four months’ notice ahead of implementation. The findings from the surveys and focus groups conducted highlight business optimism alongside continuing constraints involving suitable finance, reliable utilities, and market demand.

Respondents expressed conditional interest in the 24-Hour Economy programme and prioritiSed jobs, youth employment and challenges with cash flow. Drawing on these findings, the report sets out four priority areas for policy consideration: They are enabling enterprise growth through affordable finance and predictable taxation; turning the 24H+ programme and New Economy agenda into productive investment; improving public investment value and strengthening financial discipline, supported by effective coordination through the Value for Money Office and safeguarding natural resources and accelerating green investment.

The report offers evidence-informed recommendations to support discussions on the 2027 Budget, with an emphasis on feasible investment, effective implementation and measurable outcomes for businesses and communities. Tax -related Concerns Respondents identified complex filing, payments to multiple authorities and short-notice changes as significant impediments.

According to them, the leading preference for encouraging informal participation was greater education and awareness, followed closely by formalisation incentives and alignment of licensing with tax registration.