The government has called for collaborative efforts in order to achieve a successful implementation of the 2024 budget and economic policy.
Finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta announced that the government is seeking to raise 0.9% of GDP through taxes in the 2024 budget appealing to the NDC MPs not to frustrate his efforts.
Kick-starting the budget debate in Parliament on Tuesday, Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah argued ensuring the success of the budget is not only the responsibility of the government.
According to the Ofoase Ayirebi MP, Parliament, state agencies, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and citizens have roles to play in order to steer the economy from the turbulent waters.
Ranking member for the Finance Committee, Isaac Adongo on his part questioned the basis for the announcement by the finance minister Ghana’s nominal GDP will hit 1 trillion by next year.
The Bolgatanga Central MP accused the Nana Addo Bawumia administration of introducing 32 new taxes despite a promise in opposition to move the economy from taxation to production.
Mr. Adongo argued that it will take the return of former President Mahama to reset the country’s economy on the path of recovery.
Deputy finance minister Abena Osei Asare accused the Mahama administration of recording high deficits in 2016 as a result of the elections in that year promising the Nana Addo administration will stay within budget next despite the upcoming elections.
The Atiwa East MP hailed the scrapping of taxes on locally manufactured sanitary pads and removal of duties on imported raw materials. She however relied on hope to ensure the incentives drive down the cost of pads.
Deputy minister for Trade and Industry Dr. Stephen Amoah on his part argued the worst performance of the NPP owing to externalities like COVID-19 and Russia-Ukraine war cannot be compared to the best of NDC.
MP for Cape Coast South and former deputy finance minister Kwaku Ricketts-Hagan on his part described the budget as bipolar arguing the figures do not add up.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Ibrahim Alhassan
