Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has cautioned against excessive optimism over Ghana’s economic recovery.

He argued that even though the economy has improved under the current administration, it still faces deep-rooted structural challenges.

His comments follow the presentation of the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson on Thursday, July 23, which was welcomed by the Majority in Parliament and praised by some commentators for highlighting signs of macroeconomic recovery.

In a social media post on Friday, Manasseh Azure said the country’s economic progress should be acknowledged but noted that persistent problems such as low production, unemployment and challenges in the agricultural sector mean there is little cause for celebration.

“The second fact obvious to ordinary minds like mine is that Ghana’s economy is far from the ululations that greeted the Finance Minister’s reading of the mid-year budget yesterday,” he wrote.

He observed that although the budget presented encouraging figures, it remained an estimate, noting that actual disbursements have often fallen short of projections over the years.

The journalist also argued that the country’s productive capacity remains weak and may become a dumping ground for imported goods if greater attention is not paid to local manufacturing and industrialisation.

He further questioned the long-term impact of the government’s proposed 24-hour markets, saying they could end up selling products manufactured outside Ghana if domestic production is not strengthened.