The Minority in Parliament has described the mid-year budget review presented by the Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, as uninspiring, saying the presentation was full of English and empty payments.
Responding to the presentation in Parliament on Thursday, July 23, caucus leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin challenged the minister’s assertion that the government has managed the economy prudently, citing supposed losses incurred as a result of the Gold for Reserve policy.
“He talks about having met some debts. What he has forgotten is that he refused counsel from the minority when Goldbod and BOG charges on the gold for reserve policy was at 15%. We cautioned, he didn’t listen… you’ve already incurred losses of 9.6 billion cedis. And you come here saying prudent management of the economy, really?” Afenyo-Markin asked.
The Minority Leader also questioned the Finance Minister about payments he claimed to have made, insisting that the Ghanaian public deserved more comprehensive information on the use of state resources.
“This review is full of English with empty payments. He said they have done some payments; why didn’t he give us details? You’ve paid your party members. The monies have gone to your party members,” he said.
According to the Effutu MP, the Finance Minister has failed to address concerns of cocoa farmers in the country, insisting that cocoa farmers are suffering
“Throughout his review there was no policy announcement for the cocoa sector. The 4 million cocoa farmers are suffering. This Finance Minister since he took over, we have seen suffering and wailing and he comes here to lament” he added
Mr. Afenyo-Markin was also critical about the government’s decision to construct 24-hour markets, insisting that the move made no financial sense.
“Mr. Speaker, I want the finance minister to walk the talk… You have abandoned the agenda 111. The hospitals that should be your priority, you are not constructing them. You are spending a whopping 42 million. When there are no hospitals, how do you say you are constructing markets?” the minority leader quizzed.
