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2024 Budget will deal with issues of high taxes, rising cost of doing business – Ofori-Atta
The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta has disclosed that the 2024 budget will come out with programmes and initiatives that will deal with the high cost of doing business in the country.
He assured that the budget will also address concerns of “high and many taxes” affecting the private sector.
Mr. Ofori-Atta disclosed this on PM Express Business Edition with host George Wiafe on October 19, 2023.
“It’s very important that looking at where we are as country, everything must be done to support the private sector to help them play a critical role in the recovery of the economy”, he said.
“We have met all the interest groups from the private sector and their concerns will definitely be taken on board when it comes to the 2024 budget,” he promised.
Mr. Ofori-Atta also announced that the ministry has met all relevant stakeholders and unions.
“We have also met with Association of Ghana Industries, Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Ghana Union of Traders Association, and predominately issues about taxes have been their major priority and we have to deal with it”, he said.
He stated that there will be a Mutual Prosperity Dialogue engagement with the private sector before the budget presentation.
2024 Budget Presentation
In terms of Focus, the Finance Minister also disclosed that government will be looking at how to get the private sector back “into stable” position.
“This is because the government cannot do everything, so the private sector needs to be supported to help managers of the economy when it comes to job creation”, he added.
Ghana’s Financial Administration Act requires Parliament should by December 31 of each financial year should consider and approve the Annual Budget for the ensuing financial year.
However, based on this directive the 2024 Budget should then be presented before the end of November 2023. This will afford parliament enough time to scrutinize and deliberate on the budget, before the beginning of the New Year.
Finance Minister also disclosed that the 2024 Budget will be influenced by the Post COVID Programme for Economic Growht which is supported by the IMF in terms of intiatives aimed at supporting the recovery of the economy .
“This is because government cannot do everything, so the private sector needs to be supported to help managers of the economy, when it comes to job creation”, he added.
Ghana’s Financial Administration Act requires Parliament should by December 31 of each financial year should consider and approve the Annual Budget for the ensuing financial year.
However based on this directive the 2024 Budget should then be presented before the end of November 2023. This will afford parliament enough time to scrutinize and deliberate on the budget, before the beginning of the New Year.
Finance Minister also disclosed that the 2024 Budget will be influenced by Post COVID Programme for Economic Growht which is supported the IMF in terms of intiatives aimed at supporting in the recovery of the economy .
“We are targeting to present the Budget to parliament by November 15 2023” the Finance Minister disclosed
Expansion of the Economy
The Finance Minister also announced that the Government will also implement programmes that will help in the expansion of the economy and sustain the recent recovery.
The Finance Minister also disclosed that government is looking at growth hitting more than 2.5 percent by December 2023.
“The IMF expected Ghana to do averagely about 1.5 percent, but they have already indicated that they will be reviewing that projection going forward. We believe that we are going to do better when it comes to the expansion of the economy,” he said.
“We are committed to instituting programmes that will help sustain the numbers that we are witnessing when it comes to growth,” he added.
Mr. Ofori-Atta stated that the government will, in all this, not leave out jobs especially for the youth, as it will be rolling out some new programmes to help deal with issues of jobs for the youth in the country.
Source:Myjoyonline.com
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Let’s reintroduce Cultural Studies to complement educational reforms — Tourism Minister
Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has emphasised the importance of reintroducing Cultural Studies in schools as part of Ghana’s broader educational reform agenda.
She said Cultural Studies would complement existing efforts to reposition Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to promote digital literacy and expand Creative Arts education.
Speaking at the 2025 Homowo Festival of the people of Ningo-Prampram, held on the theme: “Education: The Best Legacy for our Children,” Madam Gomashie said cultural education was critical to national identity and development.
She noted that the festival’s theme aligned with the Government’s vision to transform education in Ghana and encouraged the youth to embrace it not only as a means of personal development but also as a way of preserving traditional values.
These values, including patience, wisdom, and hard work, were at the core of the Homowo celebration, the Minister said.
“Cultural festivals like Homowo are vital instruments for strengthening cultural identity, preserving historical memory, and fostering national unity. Additionally, festivals serve as platforms for educating the youth through storytelling, music, dance, and other traditional practices, while also providing opportunities for community engagement.”
Madam Gomashie highlighted the strong foundation that Ghana’s tourism was built on, which included culture, traditions, and the creative industry, collectively contributing to over GH¢4.8 billion to the economy.
“Festivals give tourists reasons to visit our country. Therefore, with the right infrastructure and the development of all the domains, the sector can do more than what has been recorded,” she added.
Mr Sam Nartey George, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram and Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, commended the community for their vibrant participation in the festival. He announced plans for the construction of a new nursing training school in Ningo, aimed at expanding access to healthcare education in the area.
Nene Osroagbo Djangmah XII, Paramount Chief of Great Ningo Traditional Area; King Dr Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Ga Mantse; Nene Tetteh Wakah III, Paramount Chief of the Prampram Traditional Area; Prof. Odaifio Welentsi III, Paramount Chief of the Nungua Traditional Area; Naana Dugbakuwor Dugba II, Paramount Queen Mother of Great Ningo; and Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Special Envoy on Religion and Inter-Faith Affairs, who represented the Chief of Staff, were among dignitaries at the festival. -GNA
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Focus on more pressing issues like Galamsey, not hate speech – Ellen Ama Daaku to Mahama
An aide to former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia,Ellen Ama Daaku has advised President John Dramani Mahama to shift his attention from social media hate speech to more urgent national issues such as illegal mining.
Speaking in an interview, she noted that the President’s recent comments about tracking the IP addresses of people who spread hate speech were unnecessary.
According to her, President Mahama must first define what he considers to be hate speech before seeking to punish people for it.
Ms. Daaku argued that the President himself had benefitted from hate speech and social media attacks in the past when he was in opposition.
She said even during his time in government, he described his opponents and their tribesmen in unpalatable terms, which later drew complaints from former President Nana Akufo-Addo to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference.
She stressed that harsh criticism of leaders on social media should not automatically be considered hate speech, adding that former leaders, including former President Nana Akufo-Addo had all been subjected to it.
“He is only feeling what Nana Akufo-Addo went through for eight years,” she remarked.
While acknowledging the need to regulate misconduct online, Ms. Daaku insisted that going after social media activists should not be a priority.
She noted that many political activists, including herself, had been insulted and attacked online but never called for arrests.
She concluded that President Mahama should focus his energy on solving pressing problems such as galamsey and the economy instead of concentrating on critics on social media.
By: Jacob Aggrey
