Parliamentarians discuss mid-year Budget review

Members of Parliament on Wednesday expressed varied sentiments and comments with regard to the review of the Mid-Year performance of the economy on the basis of the budget statement and economic policy of the Government issued by the Finance Minister, Yaw Osafo-Maafo on Tuesday.

While the majority of the Minority members expressed dissatisfaction with the contents of the statements and describing it as hollow and not relating to the demands of the people, the Majority side hailed it and commended the Ministry of Finance for an appropriate statement.

Edward Salia, NDC-Jirapa called on the Government to take a closer look at the economic environment and do less talk to come out with pragmatic solutions instead of engaging in the theoretical.

Paul Collins Appiah-Ofori, NPP- Asikuma/Odoben/Brakwa said it seemed the Ministry of Finance had taken cognisance of the figures it presented and mentioned that control expenditure expenditures and financial regulations need to be critically examined. He said the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service could do more than they were doing and said the Government should rather be commended for ensuring the growth of the cedi.

Alhaji Amadu Ali, NDC-Atebubu South said worse economic situations are happening now as compared to two years ago and mentioned the high cost of electricity, water and health as well as educational fees. He said if the Government was saying that inflation was going down it must be reflected in the people's pockets, impact positively on the peoples' lifestyles through pragmatic approaches.

Alex Kwaku Korankye, NPP-Asante-Akim South commended government for giving farmers guaranteed prices for the cocoa saying the gesture has ensured that it has kept faith with the farmers. He said about 9000 scholarships have been awarded to wards of farmers and said the farmers have been very appreciative, adding that the statement was appropriate.

John Mahama, NDC- Bole described the disposition of the Finance Minister at the presentation of the statement as very sober, which he said, was a reflection of the minister's realisation of the economic situation of the country. He said the Government was fortunate to have inflow of external resources as well as remittances just after the elections, which enabled them to cope up with the economic situation but it was now time to face the realities of managing an economy of a third world country.

Mahama said even the attitude of "positive change" has not changed the domestic and external borrowing, which is a worrying signal that must be addressed, while statutory payments such as the District Assemblies Common Fund and the GETFund were still in arrears. He said the Government was not following the benchmark it set itself, adding that issues of economy do not only relate to the survival of the people but are of interest to both sides of the House who must constantly be consulted.

Gabriel Yaw Amoah, NPP- Bosome-Freho said the control of the capsid and black pod diseases through the mass cocoa spraying exercise by the Government was commendable but regretted that the exercise was not undertaken in his area.

Mumuni Abudu Seidu, NDC- Wa Central described the statement as very technical that only a few people could understand and called for concerted effort to find suitable solutions to the country's 'fragile' economy. He said workers are forced to depend on living wages, whilst unemployment was on the increase even after the supposed registration of the unemployed.

Albert Kwaku Obbin, NPP- Prestea/Huni Valley said even though the interest rate has fallen it was not favourable to the agricultural sector and called for credit control measures to cushion the industry.

Amos Larweh Buertey, NDC- Ada said comparatively, the Ghanaian was worse off than he was two year ago coupled with the increase in utility and other fees. He said it was time the budget statement was related to the situation of the people instead of playing politics with their lives, adding that the plight of the people should be concern of the government and not figures.

Mrs Angelina Baiden-Ammisah, NPP-Shama said the HIPC initiative was started by the previous government and being implemented now and it has so far yielded dividends for the socio-economic development of the country.

Modestus Ahiable, NDC_ Ketu North said all the various Funds aimed at poverty alleviation of the country were politicised, not transparent and are of no benefit to the people who should benefit.

Isaac Kobina Nyame Ofori, NDC-Sefwi Wiawso said the price variations of cocoa between Ghana and her neighbours and the bad road network were contributory factors to the increase in smuggling, especially in the Western Region. He said following what the Minister stated in his budget statement it meant the country must prepare itself for an increase in fuel prices and asked the Minister to explain the current situation at the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR).

Yaw Osafo-Maafo, in summing up the comments said the country has not kept faith with the payment of the percentage for the District Assemblies Common Fund and called for a policy on how to apply the fund.

On the International Financial Consortium (IFC) loan, he said it required a full statement, adding that a sovereign statement has still not been signed for its disbursement. Osafo-Maafo said a forensic audit is taking place at TOR to check the mismanagement.