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Mid-Year Budget: We are implementing raft of policy measures to reset economy – Government
Government has reassured that it is implementing a raft of policy measures approved by Parliament in the 2023 Budget to reset the economy.
According to a Deputy Minister of Finance, Abena Osei-Asare, the International Monetary Fund – Economic Credit Facility programme is never a panacea.
Speaking at the Deloitte Ghana 2023 Mid-Year Budget Breakfast Meeting on the theme “Positioning for Sustainable Recovery, Ghana’s Outlook Post-IMF Deal”, she said despite the relative stability the government has achieved, it is mindful of the lingering risks.
“Let me assure this gathering that these are the questions and issues that have preoccupied the attention of government and the Ministry of Finance. We have made clear the fact that the IMF-ECF programme is never a panacea. We are intent on implementing the raft of policy measures that were approved by Parliament in the 2023 Budget to rest the economy.”
On July 14, 2023, government announced the exchange of about ¢7.93 billion of securities held through the Ghana COCOBOD and about $809 million dollar-denominated domestic bonds and notes.
The Deputy Finance Minister reiterated the government’s position that these measures are to secure sustainable debt levels and move economic growth forward, adding, “We have taken this painful and difficult pathway because we know the alternative is simply unthinkable”.
Mid-Year Budget to drive stability, growth
Based on the immediate impact of the interventions of the last seven months, Mrs. Osei-Asare said the government continues to re-assess the tools and the options for economic recovery and revitalization.
“As a step forward, we intend to use the opportunity of the Mid-Year Budget to be presented next week to drive stability and growth”, she stressed.
According to her, the focus will be on revenue enhancement through both administrative and compliance measures, fiscal consolidation and structural measures that are outlined in the Post Covid-19 Programme for Economic Growth (PC-PEG) which is supported by the IMF.
She added that Ghanaians can expect the Mid-Year Review provides an update on the implementation of the 2023 Budget so far, a focus on structural reforms to address structural weaknesses and build resilience, rejuvenate the growth agenda towards a more prioritized growth strategy and safeguard social protection for the vulnerable.
“Government is aware that these interventions will be critical to the future of our country and people”, she concluded.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
The spokesperson for Dr. Bawumia, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, has criticised the implementation of the NDC government’s No Fee Stress policy, arguing that the programme has failed to deliver on its core promise.
According to him on Starr fm, the policy, which was introduced to ensure stress free payment of fees for level 100 tertiary students, has rather turned into what he described as post stress support.
He explained that students are required to pay their fees first before applying for reimbursement, a situation he believes defeats the purpose of the policy.
He questioned claims by government officials that the policy has been successful and that citizens are happy.
In his view, such claims do not reflect the lived realities of many Ghanaians. He stressed that while some people may appear satisfied, many others continue to struggle.
Dennis Miracles Aboagye pointed to the situation of trained teachers and nurses who have been picketing for nearly six months, demanding employment.
He noted that government responses suggesting it cannot accommodate all of them contradict claims of economic stability.
He further argued that economic indicators such as a stable currency mean little to people who are unable to secure jobs or access promised support.
He observed that telling an unemployed teacher or a struggling student that the cedi has strengthened does not address their immediate challenges.
On the issue of tertiary education, he maintained that no level 100 student benefited from stress free fees in 2025, despite the policy being announced.
He added that in 2026, students have already reported to school without receiving the promised support.
He insisted that asking students to pay fees first and seek reimbursement later amounts to support after hardship, not stress free education.
According to him, this approach goes against what was promised during the policy announcement.
Dennis Miracles Aboagye questioned why a government that presents the economy as strong is unable to fulfil what he described as simple and clear promises.
He added that there is a fundamental problem with the way the economy is being managed and indicated that he is prepared to explain his position further.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Dancehall musician Shatta Wale has issued a strong public statement calling for an end to what he describes as continuous attacks on his brand, following an apology from media commentator Awal Mohammed.
In the statement, Shatta Wale acknowledged the apology but stressed that persistent criticism and what he sees as deliberate attempts to damage his image must stop.
He noted that for many years, he has spoken for the streets, the youth, and people who feel ignored by society, while also promoting Ghana on the global stage and creating jobs through his work.
He expressed concern that some media personalities, commentators, and influential figures continue to target his name unfairly.
According to him, the issue goes beyond music and touches on respect, fairness, and national maturity.
The musician warned that continued disrespect toward voices that represent ordinary people could have wider consequences.
He emphasised that the Shatta Movement remains strong and organized, and that the patience of the masses should not be taken for granted.
He added that if systems continue to fail the people, they have the ability to organize politically through numbers and truth, not violence or hate.
Shatta Wale clarified that his message was not a threat but a reminder of reality, stressing that attacking a symbol that represents millions of people can have social, cultural, and democratic effects.
He called for respect, fairness, and unity, saying the voice of the people will always rise.
The statement comes after Awal Mohammed recently described Shatta Wale fans during a public discussion as junkies.
The comments triggered backlash from fans of the musician, prompting Awal to later issue an apology.
By: Jacob Aggrey
