Cassiel Ato Forson mocks Ken Ofori-Atta, calls economic measures ‘cosmetic and empty’
An unimpressed legislator for Ajumako Enyan Essiam Cassiel Ato Forson has described the measures put out by Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to save Ghanaians’ from the ailing economy as cosmetic and empty.
According to him government rather just placed a moratorium on new loans and cut the 2022 foreign finance project by at least 50%.
In a tweet expressing his thoughts on the new measures announced by Mr Ofori-Atta on Thursday, March 24, Mr Ato Forson who is a former Deputy Minister of Finance said “The fiscal measures announced today are just cosmetic and Empty. It will further erode confidence in the economy. Govt should: 1. place a moratorium on new loans 2. cut 2022 foreign-financed projects by at least 50%! 3. And deliver on the promise to review all flagship programs!”
During a presser, Mr Ofori-Atta noted that with immediate effect, the Government has imposed a complete moratorium on the purchase of imported vehicles for the rest of the year.
He said this will affect all new orders, especially 4-wheel drives.
“With immediate effect, the Government has imposed a complete moratorium on the purchase of imported vehicles for the rest of the year. This will affect all new orders, especially 4-wheel drives. We will ensure that the overall effect is to reduce total vehicle purchases by the public sector by at least 50 per cent for the period,” he said.
“Again, with immediate effect Government has imposed a moratorium on all foreign travels, except pre-approved critical/statutory travels; Government will conclude on-going measures to eliminate ‘ghost’ workers from the Government payroll by end December 2022;
“Discretionary spending is to be further cut by an additional 10%. The Ministry of Finance is currently meeting with MDAs to review their spending plans for the rest of the three (3) quarters to achieve the discretionary expenditure cuts; ii. these times call for very efficient use of energy resources.
“In line with this, there will be a 50% cut in fuel coupon allocations for all political appointees and Heads of government institutions, including SOEs, effective 1st April 2022,” he added.
