We’re aware of the challenges of Ghanaians and will solve them soon – Kojo Oppong Nkrumah
Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Information Minister reiterated that the government has not lost sight of the challenges and will continue to adopt plans to mitigate the impact.
As Ghana continues to rave through the turbulent economic situation, the government has indicated that it is searching for measures which will cushion Ghanaians against these trying economic times indirectly due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.
A Cabinet retreat in March 2022, which discussed extensively the impact of global economic difficulties on Ghana and the Ghanaian people, approved some measures which were outlined by the Finance Minister.
And three months down the line, the Minister responsible for Information has revealed that an assessment of the measures is underway, and the recommendations made thereof will soon be announced during the mid-year review by the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.
This he said will be done through a series of engagements with key sector players within the Ghanaian economy to assess the impact of the economic mitigation measures.
The exercise is expected to enable the government to examine what more may be done to support Ghanaians.
“First of all, these measures that were introduced are being assessed. There will be recommendations. The issue of food price increases is a specific matter within this assessment that the President is very interested in, in ensuring that we halt, if not plough back, as quickly as possible. That will also find its expression in the list of recommendations,” the Minister said on Monday.
The reliefs included the opening of the country’s land borders; easing of general Covid-19 restrictions, measures to arrest the currency depreciation, and rising fuel and food prices.
Senior Advisor to the President, Yaw Osafo-Maafo is expected to chair the engagements and report to the cabinet by Thursday.
Ministers expected to participate include Minister for Agric, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, Minister for Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Daniel Botwe, Caretaker Minister for Gender, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, Minister for Trade, Alan Kyerematen and Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah.
“All these recommendations will be put on the table when those who manage fiscal policies come to the table for the mid-year review because whatever measures that need to be adjusted will have some fiscal implications.”
“This is all that will translate into what Mr Ken Ofori-Atta will bring to Parliament when he reviews the economic policy and budget. If there is a need to have a supplementary (intervention), then we will have a conversation about that. So the next three weeks is a critical window for us,” Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah added.
