TUC makes recommendations for 2001 budget

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) on Friday urged the government to take measures to ensure macroeconomic stability, including reduction in inflation and interest rates, as well as stability of the cedi.

This was among a number of recommendations the TUC made for government's consideration when preparing the 2001 budget.

"Borrowing from Bank of Ghana to finance expenditures should cease completely," it said.

A release signed by J.N.Y. Atopley, Deputy secretary-general of the TUC advised government to ensure timely reporting by the Controller and Accountant-General and the Auditor General, and implementing recommendations in their reports.

It said there is the need to monitor the use of government property, review all contracts signed for projects not yet began to check legal flaws.

The release also advised government to examine the present public sector pay roll to eliminate irregularities such as ghost names and urged the government to critically examine expenditures.

It said donors who want Ghana to join the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC), as a means of "committing Ghana to the continuation of the harsh IMF prescription such as the Enhancement Structural Adjustment Facility," should be resisted by the Government.

"It is our strong conviction that development is essentially a product of our own efforts," it said.

The TUC suggested the expansion of the VAT base, a corporate tax cut to reduce the tax burden on workers.

It urged the government to ensure the proper accounting of receipts of revenue from public institutions, adding that there should be complete transparency in procedures for clearing goods at the ports.

It said publicising tariffs and goods clearing procedures at the ports would reduce the discretionary actions and inaction by internal revenue Service and CEPS officials, and enhance revenue collection.

The TUC also urged the Government to consider increasing wages to improve the standard of living of workers.

It commended Government's commitment to the elimination of corruption, and pledged its support in the quest for achieving positive change through its "create wealth" programme.