Features
Analysis of the 2023 Budget (Part 1)
• Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta presenting the 2023 Budget Statement in Parliament
The main items of expenditure in the 2023 Budget Statement and Economic Policy included the usual developmental projects together with new ones that are ongoing or will be ongoing in various parts of the country.
Some of the ongoing projects already known to people in this country are road construction, the building of schools, water and electricity projects, health centres and hospitals, as well as projects like providing drinking water for the rural folk. All these projects are meant to meet the developmental needs of residents in various parts of the country.
FLAGSHIP PROJECTS
Other projects that are also ongoing include planting for food and jobs and the construction of houses for workers in the country in the form of state housing projects. Furthermore, expenditures in the form of financing the free Senior High School together with Technical Vocational Education and Training will also continue as planned. All these are important projects that ought to be continued to improve the welfare and productive skills of people, among others.
Another major item of expenditure is the 5-lane on each side of the Tema Motorway. This means that each side of the motorway will be redesigned and constructed with five lanes. This will be a major project in the country to meet the challenges ahead, but it will result in huge expenditures for the country. Such an expenditure is necessary to cope with the expanding needs of the country.
POPULATION GROWTH
With population growth, now at about 32 million, and rapid growth in urbanisation, it has become necessary to expand some of the major roads in the country. Dualisation of some parts of the road from Accra to Kumasi, as well as the Beach Road from Accra to Tema, has become necessary at this point in time to meet today’s demanding tenets. The country cannot pretend that such infrastructure is not necessary.
Apart from these entire road infrastructure as well as the expansion of the Tema Motorway, many more projects will continue to be undertaken in various communities, districts and regions in the country.
NEW REGIONS
Also, the new regions that have been created ought to continue with their developmental projects in the form of accommodation for workers, pipe borne water, road construction, and regional administrative blocks, among others. Under the new paradigm of development, facilities will not be allowed to be concentrated in the regional capital alone, as was done in the past.
What this means is that infrastructural development is to be dispersed among various parts of the region. A regional agricultural office may be built in one part of the region, while some new projects in the form of new schools may also be established in various parts of the region concerned.
DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS
Similarly, certain ministries may also be built or constructed in different parts of the new regions. This is to ensure that developmental projects are not concentrated in only one part of the new regions. This is also a laudable idea that needs the support of everyone in the country so as to ensure that various sections of the population are treated fairly in their developmental needs.
The 2023 budget statement has also provided for a remodel of the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange. Such a remodel will also increase government expenditure to a very high level, but that is necessary to ensure that the growing needs of people in this country are accommodated.
In addressing this challenge, the people of this country will not be overtaken by the lack of a certain structure or by the absence of developmental needs in various parts of the country. Undoubtedly, therefore, the expenditure in the budget has shot up to about GH¢108 billion.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Here, if inflation is not controlled adequately, it is possible that this expenditure may go even higher, to over GH¢115 billion. It must also be remembered that over the past few years, measures have been taken to protect the environment, including planting trees in all the regions and districts.
In 2022 alone, the government, through the Forestry Commission, planted over five million trees. All that was done at a certain cost, and it is believed that in 2023, more trees will be planted than were done in 2022.
In 2021, the number of trees planted amounted to about two million. This intention was not bad but had to be improved upon in the following year, that is, 2022, and this is why in 2023 there is the likelihood that more trees will be planted. If more trees are planted, then again, expenditures for the country will be high.
The point being made is that with high expenditure facing the country, we will have to find ways of ensuring that all financial resources are found for the design and implementation of many more programmes that may be needed by people in this country.
ENTREPRENEURIAL ACTIVITIES
While the government is playing its part, it is at the same time encouraging the youth to undertake their own entrepreneurial activities. Such entrepreneurial activities will go a long way toward creating satisfactory jobs for the young members of our population.
It is for this reason that the Ghana Enterprise Agency has been constituted to assist all prospective and interested individuals who would want to undertake and run their own businesses. The You-Start Project is all part of the package, and the government is spending huge sums of money for its smooth implementation.
Contact email/whatsApp address of author:
Pradmat201@gmail.com
(0553318911)
By Dr. Kofi Amponsah-Bediako
Conflict at work is more common than you might think. According to 2022 research by The Myers-Briggs Company, more than a third of the workforce reports dealing with conflict often, very often, or all the time in the workplace. The same report found that managers spend an average of four hours per week dealing with conflict, and nearly 25 per cent of people think their managers handle conflict poorly or very poorly.
Addressing a dispute might feel tense or awkward, but resolving the conflict is typically well worth it in the long run. Whether you’re trying to mediate conflict between colleagues or are directly involved, here are seven steps you can take to manage workplace conflict.
1. Don’t put it off
Facing conflict head-on is hard. However, waiting too long to address it can negatively impact your emotional well-being, focus, and the entire office environment. If you’re feeling angry, letting that emotion fester can also escalate it over time. This can make you less responsive to other points of view and make it harder to resolve the issue.
The sooner you can address the conflict, the better it will be for you, the person you disagree with, and your entire team.
2. Learn all you can about the problem
It’s important to determine the type of conflict you’re dealing with. Begin by considering the cause of the conflict. For example, ask yourself whether someone said something that upset you or if you have emotions of anger and resentment that stemmed from something that happened.
Then try to identify if it’s a task, relationship, value, or team conflict. Once you know what type of conflict it is, you can work to resolve it with specific tactics for that situation.
If you skip this step, you may waste time or escalate the situation further by trying to address issues irrelevant to the real conflict.
3. Actively listen
Listen attentively when people share their side of the story. Active listening is one of the most valuable professional skills you can possess. This type of listening involves not only hearing what the other person is saying but also listening to understand their point of view.
No matter your role in conflict, it’s easy to begin sharing your opinion with little regard for the other people involved. However, it’s important to learn about all sides of a disagreement to make well-informed decisions before drawing conclusions.
To reach a resolution, you must step back and prioritize listening over talking. Ultimately, that will encourage the other person to do the same when it’s your turn to speak. –source: betterup.com
Today, I focus on the Temple Of Praise Ministries International (TOP Church) in Helsinki, as I continue my description of personalities or institutions and their accomplishments as members of the Ghanaian Diaspora in Finland.
The TOP Church in Finland has seen significant strides and accomplishments that must be made known to the public. 
Some history
The Church was established in Finland in September 2016. Since its inception, it has steadily grown both spiritually and numerically, by the grace of God, as disclosed to me by Mr Matthew Anini Twumasi, the Presiding Elder of TOP’s branch in Finland. The TOP Church has other branches across Africa, Europe, and America.
The Church in Finland was founded with a vision to create a welcoming and dynamic community where people could experience God’s love and grace (see, www.topchurchfinland.org). According to Presiding Elder Matthew, the TOP Church operates within a unique environment where Christianity coexists with what is seen as a largely secular society.
Despite this, he submits, there are significant opportunities for outreach, unity, and demonstrating the love of Christ through service and community engagement.
Activities
Church services at the TOP Church are typically held on Sundays for the main worship. In addition, there are mid-week prayer sessions, Saturday prayer services, and a half-night service held on the last Friday of every month. “We also organise quarterly programs”, Elder Matthew added.
His impression of the Church so far has been positive. “It is a vibrant and welcoming community where members are committed to worship, fellowship, and supporting one another in faith”, he stated.
In sum, Elder Matthew said the Church continues to grow by God’s grace. “We remain hopeful and committed to spreading the Gospel, strengthening the faith of our members, and making a positive impact in society”, he continued.
Achievements
The TOP Church has a number of achievements and achievements. Some of the strengths include strong community bonds, cultural diversity, and deep commitment to spiritual growth.
I also remember that during the COVID-19 period, I heard that the TOP Church was one such bodies that hugely supported its members and others to cope with the situation.
According to Elder Matthew, the challenges facing the church include “adapting to cultural differences, engaging the younger generation, expanding outreach in a secular society, and securing a permanent place of worship”.
Role in the Ghanaian community in Finland
The TOP Church plays a prominent role as a religious group that serves Ghanaian migrants and others in the Finnish society.
Thus, the TOP Church is a religious body for Ghanaian migrants in Finland and other nationalities who want to worship with them for diversity and better intercultural and multicultural understanding.
The Church also has mechanisms in place to support its members who are bereaved as a way to commiserate with them in times of death and funerals.
The Ghanaian community has played a vital role in the growth of the Church. Their strong sense of fellowship, dedication to worship, and active participation have helped build a solid foundation and attract others to the ministry, according to Elder Matthew.
Integration
By its activities, the TOP Church is helping to ensure integration of its members well into the Finish society.
This is important since social interaction and citizens’ well-being are an important part of the integration process.
The role of migrant associations and groups such as TOP Church acting as bridge-builders for the integration and inclusion of migrants through participation in the decision making process and by acting as a representative voice is highly appreciated in Finland. Thank you!
GHANA MATTERS column appears fortnightly. Written in simple, layman’s terms, it concentrates on matters about Ghana and beyond. It focuses on everyday life issues relating to the social, cultural, economic, religious, political, health, sports, youth, gender, etc. It strives to remind us all that Ghana comes first. The column also takes a candid look at the meanings and repercussions of our actions, especially those things we take for granted or even ignore. There are key Ghanaian values we should uphold rather than disregard with impunity. We should not overlook the obvious. We need to search for the hidden or deeply embedded values and try to project them.
With Dr Perpetual Crentsil
