The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, has predicted that fixing all of Ghana’s dilapidated roads would cost the government US$10 billion.
This was mentioned by the Minister during a press conference on Sunday, May 9, 2021, in response to a query from the media.
The query was intended to elicit an answer from the government in response to agitations by the #Fixthecountry campaign, which is urging the government to, among other things, repair the country’s poor road network.
During the COVID-19 lockdown, the Minister recalled some of the social initiatives given to Ghanaians, particularly the vulnerable, such as the provision of free electricity to one million lifeline users, the supply of free water to households, the free distribution of food packs to the needy, and the evacuation of stranded Ghanaians abroad.
He reaffirmed the government’s promise to immunize approximately 20 million Ghanaians with COVID-19 vaccines, noting that negotiations with global partners to procure the vaccines have started.
Mr Ofori-Atta stated that the government will begin implementing eight new initiatives under Ghana’s Coronavirus Alleviation and Revitalisation of Enterprises Support Scheme (Ghana-CARES) program this month in order to generate more employment and improve the Ghanaian economy.
The 100-billion Ghana cedi “Obaatanpa” program will see the introduction of numerous projects in the health, agriculture, tourism, commerce, digitization and technology, housing, and social services sectors.
Instead of expanding government work programs, Mr Ofori-Atta said that the government will begin the introduction of a $250 million Workforce and Skills Development initiative to build jobs in private sector enterprises.
The Minister said that his ministry will work with the Water Resources and Sanitation Ministry in the coming days to resolve water issues, especially in urban areas, to ensure a consistent flow of potable water from taps.
It will also collaborate with the Ministries of Transport, Roads, and Highways to address highway traffic congestion.
In July of this year, he announced the establishment of a new Development Bank to provide long-term funding to the private sector by commercial banks.
Despite the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Ghanaian economy, Mr Ofori-Atta observed that the rate of growth of the public debt has been lower under the Akufo-Addo administration than under previous administrations.
“Despite major expenditures in our flagship programs such as the Free Senior High School Policy, Planting for Food and Employment, NABCo, One District, One Factory, One Village, One Dam, and the restoration of teacher and nurse trainee allowances, the rate of debt growth was lower,” Mr Ofori-Atta emphasized.
“We were elected to get things done, not to whine or compare. To repair what is destroyed, and the government and I are resolved and dedicated to doing so,” he said.
The Minister emphasized the importance of continuing the healthy debate and discussion on reforming the economy so that “we can have a concerted action to cope with the country’s problems.”
He launched the hashtag #FixThisTogetherToSaveOurCountry.
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SOURCE: ATLFMONLINE
