General News of Friday, 6 January 2017

Source: kasapafmonline.com

Ken Ofori-Atta leads NPP team to prepare 2017 Budget

Ken Ofori-Atta, Former Data Bank boss Ken Ofori-Atta, Former Data Bank boss

Though he has not been confirmed and approved by the Parliament of Ghana as the Minister responsible for Finance and Economic Planning, former Data Bank boss, Ken Ofori-Atta and his team of financial experts are preparing the 2017 Budget document which will soon be presented to the legislature for consideration and approval.

Ken, Kasapafmonline.com understands, is working with the Hon. Kwaku Kwarteng, MP for Obuasi West and one Charles Adu Boahene.

Mr. Kwarteng and Adu Boahene have both been shortlisted to deputize Mr. Ofori-Atta at the Finance Ministry.

The team, this website is further told, is currently analyzing all the data submitted to it by the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to enable them plan well for the 2017 fiscal year.

The team will put into consideration the mini budget which was presented to Parliament in October 2016 by the outgoing National Dmocratic Congress (NDC) government to cover government expenditure for the first quarter of 2017.

Inside sources say, the team is considering the reintroduction of the Teachers and Nurses training allowances as well as other promises made by the party during the 2016 electioneering campaign. The Zongo Development Fund which was promised by the NPP during the electioneering campaign is also expected to feature in the budget.

It is however, not clear when the team will finish its work and submit it to Cabinet for approval and onward submission to Parliament for consideration and subsequent approval.

Nonetheless, the Budget is expected to be presented in the middle of March, 2017.