‘2017 budget will make Ghana work again’

All is set for the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta to present the president’s 2017 Budget Statement and Economic Policy to Parliament today, March 2, 2017 around 11am. The 2017 Budget is expected to focus on stimulating growth and job creation through private sector development, a statement on the Finance Ministry’s website noted.

“It will aim at getting Ghana working again,” the statement said. The Budget will include measures to restore fiscal discipline and good economic governance, transparent and accountable use of public resources in accordance with the new Public Financial management law and to provide a credible basis for economic policy clarity going forward.

“The Budget to be presented will be the full year Budget Statement and Economic Policy for 2017.” Meanwhile, GN Research expects that a major feature of this year’s budget will be its focal point on debt management and taxation reforms.

“This is because of the tight fiscal space which urgently needs expansion so that the government can undertake expenditures that must be well – structured to grow the economy. According to the President, the country’s debt stock stood at GH¢122 billion as at the end of 2016, representing 74% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).”