The government’s Budget Statement and Economic Policy for the 2024 fiscal year have been dubbed a “true definition of an empty budget” by the Minority in Parliament.
According to Dr. Ato Forson, the budget was “cruel, insensitive, and out of touch” with the reality faced by the average Ghanaian and businesses, who would prefer to face more hardships and “suffocating taxes.”
The members of the economic management team, headed by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, were accused by the Minority of abandoning a bankrupt economy.
“It is important for us to note that this government is leaving behind a default economy, a budget that is debt-riddled, an economy that is over-taxed and that has seen hyperinflation, high food inflation and high monetary policy rate,” it said.
The minority leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, responded to the finance minister’s presentation of the “Nkunim” budget statement on the floor of parliament yesterday by saying, “As if that is not enough, this government is leaving behind an economy with high lending rate, high unemployment rate, and a misery-indexed economy never witnessed in this Fourth Republic.”
“Mr Speaker, they are also leaving behind an economy where we are seeing massive and uncontrolled corruption, according to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference. This is the legacy that they are leaving behind,” he said.
Dr. Ato Forson observed that the finance minister went to Parliament by himself to read the budget because of the inadequate management of the economy.
He questioned why Dr. Ernest Addison, the governor of the Bank of Ghana, and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the vice president, did not accompany him to Parliament.
“But let me say they cannot abandon you; you did it with them and so they are faces of destruction and you are part of it. Bye Mr minister, bye NPP, as this is your scorecard,” he said.
The #2024Budget is the true definition of an empty budget. It's insensitive and out of touch. – Ato Forson#UTVGhana pic.twitter.com/cMtWtX3aOn
— UTV Ghana (@utvghana) November 15, 2023
