2018 Budget: Akufo-Addo inspired us to achieve the impossible – Ken Ofori-Atta

Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has said President Nana Akufo-Addo inspired his team with a positive mindset to see the invisible, feel the intangible and achieve the impossible.

Presenting the 2018 budget statement to parliament on Wednesday, November 15, Mr. Ofori-Atta said when he presented the ‘Asempa’ budget in March, he indicated to the House of Parliament the government commitment to take deliberate strategic steps which require discipline to fix the economy.

According to him, this was a crisis that many were expecting the Akufo-Addo government to do little more than borrow more to incur more debt but not for the purpose of growing the economy.

“Mr. Speaker, in March when I presented the ‘Asempa’ Budget, I indicated to this House our commitment to take deliberate, strategic steps, with the required discipline, to fix the economy. Such was the crisis that we were expected to do little more than borrow more to incur more debt but not for the purpose of growing the economy but rather for servicing a fast-increasing debt” he stated.

He said, “Thankfully, President Akufo-Addo came into office with a positive mindset and inspired us all to see the invisible, feel the intangible and achieve the impossible”.

Mr. Ofori-Atta noted that the economy has been turned around and policies are yielding results, restoring hope and bringing relief to Ghanaians.

“Personally, it is heart-warming when a parent runs up to you and says, “thank you” for putting money in her purse because she did not have to pay Gh¢2,000.00 for her two children in SHS; or when an excited teacher trainee shows you the text message notification of her allowance received. Yet, these are just two examples of the promises some said were impossible to fulfil,” he explained.