{
  "id": 19699605,
  "title": "Ghana’s public debt hits GH¢759.3bn as government reports GH¢20.8bn arrears clearance",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/12/ghanas-public-debt-hits-gh-759-3bn-as-government-reports-gh-20-8bn",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-12T19:49:31.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "GBC Ghana",
    "slug": "gbc-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/general-news/ghanas-public-debt-hits-gh%c2%a2759-3bn-as-government-reports-gh%c2%a220-8bn-arrears-clearance/2026/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ghana's public debt has reached GH¢759.3 billion, accounting for 47.5% of the country's GDP as of October 2026, according to the 2027 Budget Statement. The government reported a primary surplus of 1.4% of GDP on a commitment basis from January to October 2026, surpassing the target set for the year of 1.5%. Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson attributed this achievement to stronger revenue mobilisation and expenditure controls. Total revenue collections for the first ten months of 2026 amounted to GH¢219.3 billion, representing 13.7% of GDP and exceeding the target by 3.5%. Domestic revenue reached GH¢218.2 billion, surpassing the target by 4.9%. Expenditure stood at GH¢239 billion, representing 15% of GDP, which is 7.6% below the target. Government has cleared GH¢20.8 billion in legacy arrears during the period. The Finance Minister also highlighted that interest payments as a share of domestic revenue had declined from 25.6% to 17.8%, creating additional fiscal space for infrastructure and essential public services.",
  "summary": "By Osei-Tutu Esther Kumah Ghana recorded a primary surplus of 1.4 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on a commitment basis between January and October 2026, while public debt stood at GH¢759.3 billion, according to provisional fiscal figures presented in the 2027 Budget Statement. Presenting the budget to Parliament on Thursday, November 12, 2026, […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "December in Ghana to remain tourism anchor as government targets year-round visitors",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/12/december-in-ghana-to-remain-tourism-anchor-as-government-targets-year",
        "published": "2026-11-12T20:04:31.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}