'Sika mpɛ dede' - Dr. Ato Forson on matters regarding the economy

Minister of Finance-designate, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has refrained from speculating about the true state of the economy.

Speaking during his vetting by the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Monday, January 13, 2025, he borrowed the words of the former president of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo,

'Sika mpɛ dede', to mean, money does not like noise, while answering a question about the economy.

He noted that revenue generation alone does not provide a clear picture of the fiscal deficit experienced by the government. Therefore, he will only comment on the issue when he has all the facts and figures.

"Mr. Chairman, I heard her talk about revenue, but revenue alone will not give you a picture of the fiscal deficit; you need to compare it with expenditure. I am also aware that between the 30th and the 1st, we saw the Controller paying out about GH¢18 billion, so GH¢18 billion compared to the 400 that you gained, there is a deficit. So, let's wait for the end-of-year numbers," Dr. Ato Forson said.

"I don't want to speculate; I will wait for the end-of-year numbers and then present them if approved to Parliament. Mr. Chairman, I want to learn from the former president, 'Sika mpɛ dede'. I will wait until then before I make those statements, and when the time comes, I will present the true picture of the economy," he added.

It would be recalled that former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in his address to the nation on October 30, 2024, urged Ghanaians to stop negative speculation about the cedi as it affects how the forex market reacts.

He said, “Fellow Ghanaians, as the French would say, l’argent n’aime pas le bruit, which means money does not like noise, sika mpɛ dede. Where there is chaos, where there is noise, where there is unrest, you will not find money. If you talk down your money, it will go down. If you allow some unidentified person to talk down your money, it will go down."

Akufo-Addo made this statement while discussing the state of the economy.

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