Opposition replies to budget

The minority in Parliament today criticised the government's financial policy for 1998 saying that it had nothing new to offer.

"They must give way to a better team now or risk impeachment by the whole nation for grave dereliction of their duty to Ghana.''

A statement issued by Mr J. H. Mensah, minority leader, in reaction to the passage of the VAT bill and the budget statement said the economy is in crisis and the sessional address and budget statement are a ''show of monumental irresponsibility and political incapacity''.

The minority had opposed the VAT bill which was passed today by 107 to 55 votes.

The statement said against the background of 50 per cent cut in electricity supply and its consequences on industries and the labour front, the high cost of living and free-fall of the cedi, what was expected was a leadership and inventiveness to deal with these crises.

Instead, the Sessional Address and the financial policies outlined in the budget is ''business as usual as if nothing in particular has happened in our economy...."

''Nobody should delude themselves that imposing VAT on the much abused people of Ghana would be the panacea to all our problems,'' the statement added.

Source: GNA