Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has mocked the opposition National Democratic Congress, suggesting it virtually introduced no social interventions to ease the hardships in the country.
Giving a litany of pro-poor programmes initiated by the 22 months old NPP-led government as well as support to existing ones, the minister rated Akufo-Addo’s achievements above his predecessor.
“I would like to ask one question. Can anyone recall the social intervention policies that the social democratic NDC introduced in its last eight years in government to mitigate the hardships of Ghanaians?” he asked rhetorically.
Ken Ofori-Atta was addressing Parliament on Thursday November 15, as he presented the 2019 budget.
He said the government has implemented a number of social intervention policies that have reduced the suffering as well as enhanced the aspirations and opportunities of ordinary Ghanaians.
“Mr. Speaker, the evidence shows that when it comes to social policies to protect the poor and vulnerable in Ghana the Government of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has indeed a remarkable record,” he declared to wild mixed reactions.
Key social interventions he mentioned as implemented by the government include the Nation Builders Corps and Free Senior High School policy.
The minister also mentioned 6 strategic pillars in the 2019 budget that he said will put the country in a position to advance boldly towards Ghana Beyond Aid.
“Making an unprecedented push in infrastructural expansion; modernising agriculture, increasing production, and reducing our dependence on imports for food; forging ahead with a bold and comprehensive industrialization plan that adds value to our agriculture and natural resources, and leverages our rising population of educated youth;
“strengthening our domestic revenue mobilization and taking strong measures to enforce efficiency in public expenditures and protect the public purse; and building on and strengthening our social interventions in order to ensure that no one is left behind as we transform our economy and march boldly to a Ghana Beyond Aid.”
He emphasised on the need for Ghanaians to engage in a social compact with government where everyone is expected to play a role in the socio-economic development of the country.
“A partnership where government makes a commitment to provide the citizenry with basic social interventions and services to improve the livelihood or our people and to educate our youth who are Ghana’s future.
“In exchange, Government expects the citizenry to play their part by registering for TIN numbers, paying their taxes, keeping their environment clean, reducing waste and being their brother’s keeper.”
By Isaac Essel |3news.com | Ghana
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