The 2024 budget statement and economic policy of government is scheduled to be delivered in Parliament on Wednesday, November 15, the Finance Minister has disclosed.
Kenneth Ofori-Atta disclosed this on Thursday, November 2 when he was giving the keynote address at the Ghana Mutual Prosperity Dialogues (GMPD) in Accra.
The budget will present another opportunity to government to ensure fiscal discipline going into an election as the last delivered for an election year, prior to the 2020 elections, was plunged off-track. Government attributed the situation to the then Covid-19 pandemic.
Mr Ofori-Atta noted that the indicators so far point to a favourable economy next year, coming on the back of a dip in 2022.
Already, the Minority in Parliament has served notice, there will be a “showdown” if next year’s budget does not address the basic needs of ordinary Ghanaians.
“The prevailing economic conditions has already made it very difficult for the ordinary Ghanaian and businesses and therefore we can’t be a party to any policy or measure which make things even more unbearable for the already suffering Ghanaian and businesses,” Minority Leader Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson stated on Tuesday, October 31 when the House resumed from recess.
“Mr Speaker, let me be blunt; the upcoming budget statement will encounter resistance if it does not prioritize the needs of people and businesses. That is our bottom-line.
“So, if the government knows that its upcoming budget does not prioritise the needs of the people, then they should get ready for a SHOWDOWN!”
Mr Ofori-Atta insisted that the economic challenges faced in 2022 must be placed in proper context.
“The question then is ‘How do we move forward?’ Going forward, our objective is to re-calibrate the approach so we can do more with the private sector.”