The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has commenced crucial bilateral budget discussions of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA), with financial proposals for financial year 2026.

The talks, at the Treasury Building, pit ministries against the purse-strings as they vie for funding to fuel the nation's ambitious "Big Five Game Changer" agenda, with input from civil society, district oversight committees, non-state actors, and the media.

The ministries of Agriculture, and Basic and Senior Secondary Education, key pillars of the "Big Five" initiative led the budget defence presentations.

The government aims to reduce reliance on traditional income streams and maximize its own resources and is calling for financial creativity by its agencies.

The Ministry of Agriculture, under the "Feed Salone" program, is requesting Nle115,548,100. Chief Agriculturist Abdulai Jalloh articulated the ministry's vision of becoming a socio-economic engine, fostering food security, employment, and poverty reduction.

He highlighted achievements under "Feed Salone," including the cultivation of over 23,437 hectares of rice, development of irrigation infrastructure, and distribution of agricultural machinery nationwide, and emphasized the strategic pillars of the program, including enhancing value addition and empowering farmers through rice production hubs.

Following Agriculture, the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) presented its NLE 1,422,435.70 request for the 2026-2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework.

Deputy Director of Education, John Ansumana detailed the ministry's mandate to oversee education policies and implement regulations across all levels. He highlighted key achievements in 2024 and 2025, including the recruitment of 2,198 teachers, equipping science labs, phasing out double-shift schools, expanding beneficiary numbers for various programs, providing internet connections through the GIGA project, integrating out-of-school girls, expanding school feeding programs and other achievements.

Ansumana outlined plans for 2026, including the provision of learning materials to over 10,827 public and community schools, expansion of the school feeding program to one million beneficiaries, electrification and internet connectivity for 500 schools, and furniture provisions to eliminate double shifts in 100 schools.

Financial Secretary Matthew Dingie urged MDAs to adopt innovative approaches to revenue generation, emphasizing the need to diversify funding sources beyond traditional means.

The intensive scrutiny is intended to ensure transparency and accountability of the 2026 budget, and aligns with national priorities to fosters sustainable development. The outcome of these discussions will be crucial in shaping the nation's financial roadmap for the coming fiscal year.