Ahead of 2027 Budget: Techiman drivers complain about fuel prices as traders lament slow sales and delays in Women’s Development Bank

As Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson prepares to present the 2027 Budget Statement and Economic Policy to Parliament tomorrow, Thursday, November 12, at 6:00 pm, the mood in Techiman reflects a mixture of hope and frustration. The budget is expected to outline the government’s “New Economy Agenda” – a strategic shift from economic stabilisation to productivity, competitiveness, job creation and infrastructure development.

It is also expected to include plans to fully fund the Accra-Kumasi Expressway using oil revenues. The government has promised not to introduce new taxes, opting instead for expenditure rationalisation and spending cuts. However, at the Techiman Central Market and the main lorry terminals, residents say their concerns go beyond policy documents, as they look forward to measures that will provide tangible relief.

Drivers: Fuel prices are squeezing us For drivers who ply the busy Techiman-Kumasi-Kintampo routes, the rising cost of fuel remains their biggest concern. “Fuel prices keep going up every week,” one driver at the main terminal said. “Every time we hear there’s a budget, we pray it brings relief. The government must do something about fuel prices – that’s our biggest problem.

If fuel goes up, everything goes up for us.” Another driver appealed for stability in fuel prices. “We are not asking for too much. Just stabilise fuel prices so we can plan. When fuel is high, passengers complain, and we also suffer. The budget should address this,” he said. Market women: Goods are available, but buyers say there’s no money At the Techiman Central Market, traders said prices of goods had remained relatively stable, but sales were slow because, according to them, customers had little money to spend.

“The goods are here, prices haven’t changed much, but nobody is buying,” one trader lamented. “Customers keep telling us there’s no money. How do we survive like this?” she asked. Disappointment over Women’s Development Bank Several market women also expressed disappointment over the delay in rolling out the government’s proposed Women’s Development Bank, which they expected would provide access to affordable loans to expand their businesses.

“We were promised the Women’s Development Bank. We voted for it. We waited for it. Where is it?” one trader asked. “If that bank had come, we would have accessed soft loans to expand our businesses. We are disappointed,” she added. Hope for tomorrow Despite their frustrations, many traders said they were looking forward to the budget with cautious optimism.

“Tomorrow we will listen to the budget. We want to hear something for the ordinary trader,” one market woman said. “No new taxes is good, but we need real support – affordable credit and a market that moves,” she added. Others believe investment in infrastructure could help ease their challenges. “If they fix the roads, it helps us. Our goods travel from Accra, from Kumasi.

Good roads mean lower transport costs. That would be something,” another trader said. What to expect from the 2027 Budget The budget is expected to focus on the government’s “New Economy Agenda”, with an emphasis on moving from economic stabilisation to productivity, competitiveness, job creation and infrastructure development. It is also expected to outline plans for funding the Accra-Kumasi Expressway with oil revenues, while the government has pledged not to introduce new taxes and instead rely on expenditure rationalisation and spending cuts.

Dr Ato Forson is scheduled to present the budget to Parliament on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at 6:00 pm. For the people of Techiman, the budget is more than a policy document; it is a test of promises made and expectations yet to be fulfilled. “We are watching,” one driver said. “We voted for change. Tomorrow, we will listen carefully. The budget must speak to our pockets.”