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Finance Minister to present first budget on March 11
Minister for Finance Dr Cassiel Ato Forson will present his first budget to parliament on Tuesday, March 11, 2024.
The budget will provide a full breakdown of the economy and the government’s policy proposals to reset and facilitate Ghana’s economic transformation agenda in line with Mahama’s vision.
The Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, disclosed this at a media briefing after the government’s first Cabinet meeting.
According to him, the policies to be announced in the budget will be informed by recommendations after the National Economic Dialogue, which will take place a week earlier, on March 3 to and March 4, 2025.
“The Presidential Advisor on the 24-hour Economy, Mr Gossie Tandoh, proceeded with preparations for the full rollout of President Mahama’s primary policy to transform Ghana.
The Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, also informed the Cabinet that the economic situation is dire. The figures are even worse than we had known before the elections.
The first Cabinet meeting, which he said was largely to set benchmarks for the Ministers, included briefings on security, the rollout plan for the 24-hour economy policy, the agriculture transformation agenda, and the state of the economy.
The MP for Old Tafo, Vincent Assafuah, has criticised what he describes as an attempt by the President to influence the work of Parliament in the ongoing debate over the future of the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
On his facebook post in response to recent developments, Assafuah argued that those who previously claimed he did not understand the separation of powers must now reconsider their position.
He noted that the current situation shows the President trying to direct Parliamentarians on how to carry out their duties, a move he believes challenges the very principles those critics defended.
Assafuah urged the President to restrain the Deputy Attorney General, Justice Sai, following the widespread public backlash over moves linked to the possible scrapping of the OSP.
He stressed that the case currently before the court should be withdrawn, describing it as unnecessary.
He referenced Section 4 of the OSP Act, explaining that all prosecutions by the Office of the Special Prosecutor must be authorised by the Attorney General, whose powers he described as sacrosanct.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Diaspora Affairs Office at the Presidency has addressed a social media report claiming that some visiting African American tourists were approached by people pretending to be police officers.
In a statement, the office noted that such information can cause fear among visitors, especially those travelling from the diaspora during the festive season.
It assured the public that Ghana treats all reports concerning the safety of travellers with urgency.
According to the statement, the Ghana Police Service and the Cyber Security Authority have begun a full investigation to verify the story and identify anyone involved.
The office emphasised that thousands of visitors arrive in the country at this time of year, and every traveller deserves to feel safe and respected.
The Diaspora Affairs Office reaffirmed Ghana’s reputation as a peaceful and welcoming destination.
It added that all security and intelligence agencies are working together to ensure the country remains a trusted and enjoyable place for visitors exploring its culture, heritage and beauty.
The update was issued by Kofi Okyere Darko, Director of Diaspora Affairs.
By: Jacob Aggrey
