Cut your expectations on jobs, developmental projects – Oppong-Nkrumah to Ghanaians

Minister for Information and Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah has asked Ghanaians to manage their expectations of the government in the areas of job creation and developmental projects this year while the proposed electronic transactions levy (e-levy) remains unpassed.

This follows the 3 days crunch Cabinet meeting at Peduase Lodge in the government’s bid to find relief for the struggling Ghanaian economy, which according to the government has been brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russian aggression in Ukraine.

Speaking in an interview with Okay FM monitored by Mynews.com on Monday morning, the Information Minister said despite the approval of a couple of measures by President Akufo-Addo to abate the current economic dilemma to ease the suffering of Ghanaians in these trying times, the e-levy remains a key factor in government’s revenue mobilisation drive.

“We are still counting on the cushioning of the GHc 7 billion to be realised annually if the e-levy is passed, but until then, I think those who are expectant in finding jobs and developmental projects in their communities should limit their expectations” for the time being.

He also hinted that the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta who is billed to outline the details of the measures approved by the President would announce a number of reviews of the 16 flagship programmes of the government.

“The President has ordered for a review of the flagship programmes to find ways to costs and waste, but that is not to say that those which provides relief to Ghanaians would be scrapped. In fact, the measures would make those policies better”, he said.

The review of the Free SHS policy, the opening of land borders and stabilisation of the Cedi would be key in the number of reforms to be announced by the Finance Minister later this week.

President Akufo-Addo has however attributed the economic hardships to a global phenomenon but has promised to resolve it soon.