Ken Ofori-Atta, Finance Minister
The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, has said the successful sale of a $3billion Eurobond during the recent roadshow will reflect in people’s pockets because the government will be able to continue its flagship initiatives.
Speaking on Accra-based Joy News Newsfile, over the weekend, he said the implementation of these initiatives will subsequently create a society where there is social inclusiveness.
“This is not a government that is not aware of what the needs of the people are. And to be able to secure the future for transformation, we need human capital. It’s so important and that’s what the intervention is for,” he said.
Backlash
It would be recalled that Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia, since stating that the government had indirectly put some GHC5.4 billion into the pockets of Ghanaians through various interventions, has received massive backlash, with many still complaining of economic hardship.
But backing the earlier assertion by the Vice-President, Mr Ofori-Atta explained that with this amount, the Free Senior High School policy and Planting For Food and Jobs programmes, which are making the economy inclusive, can be maintained and the people’s pockets can be managed properly.
“So when I sit there looking at choices that one has to make and somebody says, ‘well you don’t have the money to do free SHS’, I say I don’t have a choice. The President wants that and every Ghanaian citizen deserves it to be able to be given a platform from which he or she can move,” he said.
He added: “$3billion to the market woman means that if your child is in school, the Free SHS programme will continue because we can continue to fund it. If you are worried about foreign currency, this helps with regards to stability.”
The Finance Minister further reassured that the Akufo-Addo government will not overspend this election year because structures such as the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) 2018 are being put to the test with his job on the line.
