Features
Analysis of the 2023 Budget (Final part)
There is no doubt that some government expenditures will be supported by grants from foreign countries. However, not every expenditure will be covered by grants. This explains why the government must find innovative ways of raising more revenue to cover its expenditures. If more revenue is raised, it will help the government overcome its numerous projects.
It is in this light that strenuous efforts are being made under the budget to raise more revenue for the country. Without adequate revenue, not much can be achieved by way of development project financing. It is, therefore, necessary to raise enough revenue since the level of revenue raised in the country is not enough to satisfy our needs.
The destruction of water bodies in various parts of the country is threatening the lives of everyone residing here in Ghana. The destruction of water bodies and the fight against illegal mining imply that additional expenditures will have to be made to fight the menace and clean up the destroyed water bodies.
REVENUE GENERATION MEASURES
In light of all these, certain revenue generation measures have been instituted in the budget for the good of the country. As has been pointed out already, if more revenue cannot be generated, we will not be able to undertake and expand our development projects. This is one fact that we cannot run away from.
The E-Levy, which is meant to generate additional revenue for the government, has been reduced from 1.5 per cent to one (1) per cent. However, the GHC 100 daily threshold has been removed.
This has been described by the Minority in Parliament as a measure that will add to the hardship of Ghanaians. However, these measures are meant to generate more revenue, expand the revenue base, and also make it possible to use the revenue generated to finance our development projects.
Another important measure in the budget is the freezing of employment for civil and public servants for the 2023 financial year. While this is very painful, it must be made clear that government expenditures are already too high and that the government cannot, therefore, undertake additional expenditures in the form of employment in the civil and public services. All these are being done to ensure that government expenditure is not thrown overboard. It is also a measure being undertaken to stabilise the economy so that, within the short to medium term, economic growth can bounce back and allow people to be employed in the public sector.
We are in very difficult times, so we need to take steps now to save the economy. If these corrective measures are not taken now, things will get out of control, so we need to bite the bullet without delay so as to help stabilise our national economy.
EXPENDITURES
It is equally important that steps are taken by the government to cut down on its expenditure. Already, the presidency and ministers are to see a reduction of their expenditures by 50 per cent. The purpose is to save some money for the economy.
In addition to that, the government will again cut down on imports by 45 per cent. The country cannot continue to be import-dependent, especially when many of these things can be produced locally. By being able to produce these things locally, the foreign exchange that will be used to import them will be saved for the country. Eventually, this will put less stress on the demand for the dollar. When this happens, it will help stabilise the country’s currency against the major foreign currencies.
VALUE ADDED TAX
To be able to raise more revenue, the government has increased the Value Added Tax (VAT) by 2.5 per cent. Already, some politics is being played here by the Minority, who claim that it will make life unbearable for Ghanaians. The money being raised here, it must be noted, will not go into the pocket of any individuals. Rather, it will go into the Consolidated Fund, which will be used to finance the numerous projects to be undertaken in the country. If this is not done, then not much can be undertaken in terms of our developmental agenda.
In the same way, the use of V8 and V6 vehicles has been banned in towns except for travel to other regions. The use of V8s and V6s draws huge amounts of fuel, which adds to the cost of transportation in the country. In light of all this, these large vehicles have been banned from daily use except for travel purposes to the regions and other faraway places in the country.
DEMANDS OF POPULATION
In conclusion, the 2023 budget should not just be seen as any other budget but as one that is meant to raise enough revenue to overcome numerous expenditures. With the increase in population as well as the demands of the population, it has become necessary to raise enough revenue to cover all our items of expenditure.
The entire world is going through serious difficulties. This means that as a country, we cannot depend on other countries to finance our developmental projects.
As a result, we need to find innovative ways of raising revenue to put up structures and implement programmes that will be of benefit to people in this country.
IMF BAILOUT
Ghana is already seeking an IMF bailout to stabilise its economy. The bailout will not be possible if we’re not able to prove to the IMF that we’re prepared to cut down on expenditure and at the same time raise enough revenue to cover our numerous expenditures.
If this is the case, then we must all support the budget so that at the end of it all, we will be able to undertake our own programmes. This is very important because the IMF exists to assist with and provide guidance for economic development, not to come in and solve a country’s problems for it.
There is no doubt that the year 2023 will be tough. However, we need to swallow the bitter pill today in order to stabilise our economic problems and provide breathing room for people in this country.
REAL ECONOMIC GROWTH
If all these things are done, we will see real economic growth in the country, and the benefits that will come later will be in the best interest of every person. Many of us will go through the same difficulties, but we know that there will be light at the end of the tunnel, and this is why, after going through the budget carefully, we have come to the conclusion that the purpose of this budget is to halt economic decline, stabilise the system, and effect smooth economic growth for the entire country.
In light of this, we must all embrace the budget and support its implementation for the economic growth that is being envisaged by the noble people of this country.
Email address/whatsApp number 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.
Addressing a dispute might feel tense or awkward, but resolving the conflict is typically well worth it in the long run. Whether you are trying to mediate conflict between colleagues or are directly involved. Last week we looked at three and this week is the remaining four steps you can take to manage workplace conflict.
4. Find common ground
The best way to handle workplace conflict is to start with what you can agree on. Find common ground between the people engaging in conflict. If you are directly involved in the conflict, slow down and focus on results instead of who’s right.
If you are the mediator for conflict resolution between coworkers, observe the discussion and help point out the common ground others may not see.
5. Collectively brainstorm solutions
When deciding how to handle workplace conflict, it can be tempting to problem-solve on your own. Sometimes, it feels easier to work independently rather than collaboratively. However, if you want to achieve a lasting resolution, you will need to motivate your team to get involved.
Brainstorm possible solutions together, and solicit input from everyone involved on the pros and cons of each option until you settle on a solution that feels comfortable to everyone. This will help all team members feel a sense of ownership that can help prevent future conflicts.
6. Create an action plan
Once you have created an open dialogue around workplace conflicts, it is time to resolve them. Just like any other work goal, this requires creating a concrete plan and following through.
Create an action plan and then act on it. It does not matter what the plan is, as long as you commit to it and resolve the conflict as a result.
7. Reflect on what you learned
All conflicts offer an opportunity to grow and become a better communicator. Identify what went well and what did not.
Work with your whole team to gather learnings from the conflict so you can avoid similar situations in the future.
Today, I continue with my narration of personalities and their accomplishments as members of the Ghanaian Diaspora in Finland, with a focus on Mr Joseph Osei Amoah.
Mr Amoah is one of the senior members of the Ghanaian community in Finland and a top member of the Ghana Union Finland, an association of the Ghanaian migrant community in Finland.
He is an active and a well-respected person in the Ghanaian community in Finland. Mr Osei Amoah moved to Finland in the mid-1990s, and he has lived in Helsinki all this time.
Accomplishments and honours
It is important to recount accomplishments as part of the success stories of the personalities of Ghanaian descent in Finland in order to highlight their exploits both within the Ghanaian migrant community and in the wider Finnish society.
Mr Amoah holds a Master’s degree in Demography from the University of Helsinki. At the time he came to Finland in 1994, he had majored in Economics at the Bachelor’s level at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
Sometimes affectionately called “Chairman” in the Ghanaian migrant community, Mr Osei is a former Chairman of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) branch in Finland, assuming office around 2015, a few months after the branch was formed, until 2019 when he did not run again for the elections. He helped to bring vibrancy into the NPP Finland branch.
Religious life
Mr Amoah is a prominent member of the Global Methodist Church in Finland. In spite of his busy working life and other responsibilities, he remains a committed member of the Global Methodist Church in Finland.
He plays a key leadership role in the church, which is attended by many Ghanaian migrants and other African migrants, Finns, and those of other nationalities.
His position in Asanteman Finland
Mr Osei Amoah is an outstanding member of the Asanteman Finland, where he is the Gyasehene, a prominent position as a sub-chief in the Asante (and Akan) royal hierarchy, in the functioning of the traditional authority systemgenerally in Ghana.
The Asanteman Finland is an association formed purposely with the aim of supporting each other as well as to ensure unity among its members and others outside of the group.
One of its top priorities of Asanteman Finland is to display the Asante culture in Finland. Mr Osei Amoah finds this as very important since by upholding the traditional culture and heritage, the association enables its members and especially the young ones to get the chance to learn and appreciate Asante and Ghanaian cultural values. They do this through rites such as marriage, the naming ceremony, and death and funeral rites, which makes the people to learn more of their provenance and not forget their origins.
“My point is that, by displaying the traditional heritage it helps people to learn more about their provenance. For, I think it will be embarrassing to go home and see that even the young ones have much knowledge about how to perform certain rites whilst those of us in the diaspora may be deficient in understanding those practices”, he argued. It is also very important for the young ones who are born in Finland to learn what the culture of their original society is, he continued.
The Finnish educational system
Mr Osei has a lot to say about the Finnish educational system, which he sees as very good. “When we came to Finland, education was free. There were library books and manuscripts readily available in the library, and one could print or make as many photocopies as possible for your studies. There was more flexibility. One could read books and write exams on them for the necessary grades in order to complete your studies”. In his opinion, Ghana could learn much from the Finnish system, which is one of the best in the world.
He said the only initial challenge he found in Finland was how to master the Finnish language, without which it was difficult to get a job befitting one’s status after the studies. But things have changed today and there are many English courses so it is easy to study and get a job that matches your studies, especially in the area of ICT, he said.
His role in the Ghanaian community
Mr Osei Amoah has been very active in the Ghanaian community, as I have indicated earlier. He is still very active in the Ghana Union Finland, and has played a leadership in many functions organised by the Union, as a non-governmental organisation for the Ghanaian migrant community in Finland.
Mr Amoah has been a counsellor and mentor who has guided many young Ghanaian migrants on their career paths and has also been part in settling various kinds of conflicts between opposing parties or persons. In conclusion, I would say Mr Osei Amoah has succeeded in embossing his name in the golden pages of visionary Ghanaians in both Sweden and Finland.
With Dr Perpetual Crentsil
