2019 budget ‘to see real decline in growth’ - Former Energy Minister

Former Minister of Petroleum and Energy Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah has reiterated the Minority’s position on the 2019 budget statement and economic policy, warning Ghanaians to brace for difficult times.

“In fact, [in the 2019] budget, we are going to see a real decline in growth,” he noted.

He was speaking to TV3’s Etornam Sey on Thursday ahead of the delivery of the budget in Parliament by Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Atta.

Government has expressed hope that the 2019 budget – the first to be IMF-free – will raise the conditions of living of Ghanaians.

However, the Member of Parliament for Ellembelle disagreed, insisting the financial sector, for instance, is in recession.

He noted that in less than two years, the current government has increased the debt stock by $48 billion.

Mr Buah says the Minority would want to know why despite promises of not borrowing, government has increased the debt stock from $120 billion to almost $170 billion.

He also noted that the misappropriation of funds has been excessive under the Akufo-Addo government with energy sector levies, for instance, used to pay pensions.