Minority Leader Casiel Ato Forson has launched a scathing attack on the government’s economic policies, accusing them of exacerbating the hardships faced by ordinary Ghanaians after the presentation of the 2023 Mid-Year Budget Review by the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.
Addressing the press after the budget presentation, Ato Forson criticized the Minister’s claims of modest gains in turning the economy around, stating that such assertions were far from the truth.
He argued that the reported economic growth from 2.8% GDP to 1.5% GDP only reflected a contracted and declining economy, which would inevitably lead to negative impacts on job opportunities and the welfare of everyday citizens.
“It is wrong for our Minister responsible for Finance to say that we have successfully turned the corner, that can never be the case. In fact, according to Adongo, he’s not even close to the corner. What he has successfully done indeed is that he has deepened the woes of the ordinary Ghanaians,” he said.
The Minority Leader further outlined certain factors in the budget statement that he believed were responsible for aggravating the economic hardships faced by Ghanaians. He pointed out that despite the government’s claims of progress, the reality on the ground was much bleaker.
Ghana had faced severe economic challenges in 2022, and Ken Ofori Atta had emphasized that his government’s plans and programmes were starting to yield positive results. He called on the nation to acknowledge the major milestones achieved in the past three years.
However, Ato Forson’s response cast doubts on the impact of these measures, accusing the government of failing to address the core issues affecting the ordinary citizens. The Minority Leader questioned the Minister’s assertion of progress, arguing that the figures presented did not align with the daily struggles faced by many Ghanaians.