Mid-year budget review: 6 things Finance Minister will talk about

The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, is set to deliver the 2019 mid-year budget review Monday, July 29, 2019.

The budget’s main focus will be on augmenting government revenues to complete outstanding social and economic policies.

Ahead of the budget reading, the Public Relations Unit of the Ministry of Finance has highlighted a few things Ghanaians should expect.

The statement from the Ministry said the budget will touch on “Ghana’s debt situation” and “domestic revenue mobilization.”

It also urged Ghanaians to expect a review of the luxury vehicle tax, as well as details on issues affecting the energy sector.

Below are six things the Finance Minister will talk about during today’s mid-year budget review:

1. This year’s presentation will have a particular focus on issues affecting the energy sector, alongside their planned reforms.

Another major area expected to be addressed is the financial sector’s performance.

Ghana’s debt situation, domestic revenue mobilization, and the review of the Luxury Vehicle Tax will also be highlighted.

2. This presentation to Parliament will see an upward revision of the 2019 appropriation ceiling and its underlying measures, in order to achieve the objectives of the 2019 budget theme of expanding the economy and increasing jobs. Government will, therefore, seek the approval of Parliament for supplementary estimates.

3. Aside from highlighting Ghana’s fiscal performance between January and June 2019, as well as fiscal strategy going forward, this year’s Mid-Year Budget Review will touch on policies leading to increases in industrial output, such as the agro-food sector.

Roads Rehabilitation & Construction, the strengthening of Security, and Government Priority Programmes, among others, will also be addressed.

4. Against the backdrop of the Ghana Beyond Aid vision, this Mid-year presentation to Parliament is expected to explain how Ghana will take advantage of the opportunities that come with the hosting of the Secretariat of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA).

5. Analysis of revenue, expenditure, and financing performance for 2019;

6. A revised fiscal outlook for the unexpired term of the financial year