2022 budget: No public sector worker was laid off – Ofori Atta

Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta has told Parliament that no public sector worker was laid off despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the country’s finances.

Presenting the government budget statement for the 2022 fiscal year on Wednesday November 17, he highlighted the negative impact of the pandemic on the local economy.

 “I am proud to announce that not a single  public sector worker  was laid off  as a result of the impact of  the pandemic on our  economy and finance.

“We have managed to pay  them monthly  and we are grateful to the unions for their cooperation in this regard.”

Mr Ofori Atta further told Parliament that small and medium enterprises have been the hardest hit following the outbreak of the pandemic.

The government, he said has initiated steps to support the SMEs cope with the situation.

“Under the Coronavirus Alleviation Programme Business Support Scheme (CAPBuSS), Ghana Enterprises Agency provided 302,001 successful applicants across various sectors and regions with loans amounting to GHȼ523.11 million.

“Mr. Speaker, we also ensured payment of our obligations to contractors and provided payroll support to some State-owned Enterprises to guarantee jobs.

“Thankfully, our President led and acted, decisively and intelligently and his leadership paved the way for many other countries in Africa and beyond.”

By Laud Nartey|editors.3news.com|Ghana