We have protected the public purse – Ken Ofori-Atta

The Akufo-Addo-led government has touted itself for taking the right steps to safeguard the management and usage of public funds unlike the John Mahama led administration.

This assertion was made by the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta in his presentation of the Mid-Year budget review in Parliament on Monday, in accordance with section 28 of the Public Financial Management Act, Act 2016 (921).

“We have been able to entrench fiscal discipline through the strategic allocation of resources, efficiency in the use of public funds, as well as enhancing transparency and accountability in our management of the public purse,” he said.

This, he revealed, is in fulfilment of a promise made by President Akuffo-Addo to Ghanaians.

“Candidate Akufo-Addo promised to protect the public purse and that is exactly what we have been doing at the Treasury.”

He said this has been achieved through measures such as reviewing contracts that were either sole-sourced or procured through restrictive tender

According to the minister, this has helped the Akufo-Addo government to make savings of about GH¢2.75 billion within the three years it has been in power.

He stated that “the Akufo-Addo administration has made savings of GH¢2.75 billion (which breaks down to GH¢800 million in 2017, GH¢1.1 billion in 2018, and GH¢1.085 billion in 2019)”.

Mr. Ofori-Atta says this achievement of the NPP government is in contrast with figures realised under the previous administration led by John Mahama.

“In 2015, savings made totalled zero cedis. In 2016, again the PPA made zero cedis in savings. When it comes to how taxpayers’ monies have been managed, the facts and figures, Mr Speaker, speak loudly. We believe it is very important on days like this we show to the people of Ghana that this government, their government, the Akufo-Addo government, the New Patriotic Party government, your government spends the taxes you pay for your benefit and for the benefit of the collective”.