The New Patriotic Party (NPP) government must avoid wastage and expenditure in unproductive areas if they want to make gains, Professor Peter Quartey, Head of Economics Department at the University of Ghana has said.
He told Class91.3FM’s Moro Awudu on Monday, July 31 that government must eschew spending on items that are not of significant importance, adding: “They have to prioritise expenditure and ensure that funds are going into productive areas so that the growth targets will not suffer”.
Prof Quartey made the comments ahead of the mid-year Budget Review and Economic Planning statement by Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.
Prof Quartey emphasised the need for government to raise more revenue “through non-tradition means” so as to cut the budget deficit.
He explained that businesses were affected negatively prior to 2016 elections due to the prolonged load shedding under the previous administration coupled with an increase in utility tariffs.
For him, ensuring value for money is key for growth and development.
“If they are able to achieve value for money as they have been touting, which I hope is not a political mantra, then with the same kitty they can achieve money,” he added.
Source:Ghana/AccraFM.com
