Finance Minister hints of favorable budget to revive economy
The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta has hinted that the 2023 budget will roll out pragmatic policies that revive the economy from the grappling effect of the current crisis.
The Finance Minister maintains that his tenure has seen some amount of significant improvement in the economy.
He made these comments when he appeared before the parliamentary ad-hoc committee probing allegations against him by the minority who are seeking a vote of censure to remove him.
“The 2023 budget will contain policies directly aimed at tackling these vulnerabilities. I am aware of the enormity of the challenges we face. I am aware that lives and livelihoods need to be protected.
“We have a well-consulted plan and the commitment to address these economic challenges. The ministry of finance and I have been working hard 24/7 to quickly restore market confidence and ensure economic growth,” he intimated.
We are nearly through with the IMF negotiations. I am confident that once we conclude, we will secure a fund program and the nation will next year see the stability and fiscal space that can spur us back unto a sustainable economic recovery and growth,” he assured.
Earlier this month, the Majority Leader in Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu noted that the Finance Minister is targeting November 24 to read the 2023 budget.
“Given the circumstance now, the Minister has informed us he has written, that he would rather prefer to come here and work everything out in such a way that on the 24th, he will do the delivery here,” Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said in Parliament on Friday.
The budget is highly anticipated because of Ghana’s current economic crisis and negotiations with the International Monetary Fund for support.
This comes as some stakeholders have raised fears about the government not being able to read the budget at least one month before the end of the financial year, as stipulated in article 179 of the constitution.
Source: Ghana Business
