Deputy Minister of Finance Thomas Ampem Nyarko has fired back at the Minority over claims the economy is only stable because the government has not been spending.
The Minority had earlier claimed that the government’s touted economic gains were deceptive, arguing that Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) had not received budgeted funds and contractors had not been paid.
They suggested this alleged non-spending was the real reason behind any perceived stability.
Responding ahead of the mid-year budget review presentation in Parliament, the Deputy Finance Minister called the allegations false and says today’s presentation will show that the claims are outright falsehood.
“At the end of this presentation, you will realise that contrary to what the opponents have been saying that we are not spending we are spending,” he said. “And so you’ll hear details about it.”
He also addressed updates to the Fees and Charges Act, explaining delays and changes in policy.
“You see, the Fees and Charges Act requires the finance minister to come to Parliament every year to review fees and charges,” he said.
“For about three years now, there haven’t been a review of some of the fees and charges. In fact, the previous administration laid the amendment in the 8th Parliament, but it did not make the required number of days certain for it to pass into law.”
He clarified that the current government had chosen to approach the review more comprehensively. “Instead of relaying the exact term that they brought, we decided to look at it holistically and bring it. So that is exactly what we are doing, there’s nothing new.”
Mr Nyarko also confirmed the reintroduction of road tolls and new charges from the Narcotics Control Commission, including fees related to cannabis regulation. He explained these adjustments are driven by economic realities.
“We use the cumulative inflation factor,” he said. “You will agree with me that if fees are fixed three years ago with inflation as high as it was and as low as we are trying to bring it you need to adjust it almost every year so that you maintain the value of the fees.”
Meanwhile, Parliament is braced for a potential boycott today as intelligence from the House suggests the Minority Caucus is likely to absent itself from the Chamber during the presentation of the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review by Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.
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