The government is targeting real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of about 8 percent and an unemployment rate below 8 percent by 2030 as part of its New Economy programme.

Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson announced the targets on Thursday, November 12, 2026, during the presentation of the 2027 Budget Statement and Economic Policy to Parliament.

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He said the government is also working towards securing an investment-grade sovereign credit rating, which he described as an important measure of the country's economic strength and credibility.

“By 2030, we are targeting real GDP growth of about 8%, unemployment below 8%, and a credible path to an investment-grade sovereign credit rating,” he said.

Dr Ato Forson, however, cautioned that achieving an investment-grade rating would require consistent economic performance rather than government declarations.

“An investment-grade sovereign rating cannot be conferred in a speech. It must be earned through sustained performance,” he said.

To track the country's progress, the Finance Minister announced plans to publish an annual investment-grade readiness report.

The report will assess Ghana's performance across key areas, including fiscal management, debt affordability, reserve accumulation, monetary credibility, the strength of the financial sector, institutional quality and economic diversification.

Dr Ato Forson identified sustaining macroeconomic stability and securing access to affordable financing as the first pillar of the New Economy programme.

Under this plan, the government intends to maintain a positive primary surplus of at least 0.5 percent of GDP from 2027, while keeping public debt in line with a target of 45 percent of GDP.

He said the government would also work to maintain single-digit inflation and strengthen the country's external buffers.

“From 2027, we will maintain a positive primary surplus of at least 0.5% of GDP. We will keep public debt consistent with 45% of GDP. We will preserve single-digit inflation and strengthen our external buffers,” he said.

The targets form part of the government's broader economic transformation agenda following the completion of Ghana's International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme.

Through the New Economy programme, the government intends to move beyond stabilising the economy and focus on expanding productive sectors to create jobs, attract investment and drive long-term growth.

Priority areas identified under the programme include commercial agriculture, energy, critical minerals, textiles and garments, tourism, and pharmaceuticals.

The government is expected to use the programme to guide its economic policies and investments as it works towards achieving the 2030 growth, employment and credit rating targets.

NA/EB