The Right Honourable Speaker, Honourable Members of Parliament, on the authority of His Excellency, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, I present to you the Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review of the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government of Ghana for the 2024 Financial Year.
This Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review presentation is in fulfilment of Section 28 of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921).
Mr. Speaker, this Statement is an abridged version of the Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review of the Budget Statement and Economic Policy for the 2024 Financial Year. I respectfully request that the entire Mid-Year Fiscal Policy be captured in the Hansard.
Mr. Speaker, I want to begin this Mid-Year Policy Review by expressing my gratitude to H.E. the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for appointing me to serve as the Finance Minister, especially at this critical time in our nation’s history. It is such an honour and privilege to serve in this capacity and I am grateful for the
opportunity.
As the Member of Parliament for Karaga, and one of your own, I wish to also express my profound appreciation to you, Right Hon. Speaker and Hon. Members for the immense support I have received. I will continue to rely on the full cooperation of the House as we work together to serve our country.
Growing up as a young boy in Aboabo-Tamale, it never crossed my mind that I would one day stand before you to address this august House in this capacity. The young people out there should therefore know that - IT IS POSSIBLE - with hard work, dedication, and by the Grace of God all of you have limitless opportunities to serve our country.
Mr. Speaker, the last two years have been extremely challenging globally, and Ghana has not been an exception. The difficult economic environment has truly affected businesses and families, particularly the vulnerable in our society.
These challenges have severely affected households, increased the cost of living and limited the creation of job opportunities. Our young people continue to seek employment opportunities beyond what the State can provide. Mr. Speaker, it has indeed been a difficult time and I deeply empathise with our fellow Ghanaians.