Geoffrey Ocansey, Executive Director, Revenue Mobilisation Africa, has advised the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) to exercise caution in its spending because the economic challenges we face are far from over.
He said that as the government prepares to present its first budget to Parliament, it should take steps to ensure prudent spending and fiscal discipline.
Mr. Occansey stated that we are also burdened with massive debts that must be paid, and that any activity that results in unnecessary spending will only exacerbate our problems.
He referred to the US government’s decision to suspend USAID activities, which he noted will have a negative impact on Ghana given the support we receive from USAID in the areas of health and skills development.
”USAID’s assistance is extremely valuable. They assist us in the areas of education, health, skills, and youth development. The decision to suspend their operations will have a negative impact on these areas.That is why President Mahama directed his finance minister to close these gaps.
He commended President John Dramani Mahama for the fulfilment of his pledge to appoint only 60 ministers, saying,’This demonstrates a cost-cutting approach. It is commendable and shows the current president is prepared to be moderate. The economy they took over from needs some restoration, he added.
Speaking on the issue of the ghost names on our payroll, he said he does not entirely subscribe to the incarceration of those involved when we can retrieve the stolen funds from them.
He said if it is established that they stole funds and invested them in assets, we should rather confiscate those assets instead of throwing them into jail.
‘’If the said individual has bought houses or any other asset, we have to confiscate these assets and give them to the state instead of jailing them,’’ he told host Kwabena Agyapong on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM.
He called for the resetting of the various state institutions to make them more efficient and financially viable.
Mr. Occansey reiterated the need for the Covid-19 levy to be maintained but changed from Covid-19 to a different name with a different purpose.
He opined that the Covid-19 levy can be used for other purposes, including the financing of the free dialysis initiative and the Agenda 111 hospitals project.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
