Finance Minister Presenting Budget Statement In Parliament Ghana’s Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta delivering his maiden budget and economic planning statement to the House of Parliament. He started by acknowledging the founders of the republic of Ghana. He also thanked the President of the Republic for his appointment and parliament for endorsing his nomination as Finance Minister. This was met with heckling from the parliamentarians which the speaker warned that he might be forced to suspend proceedings if the heckling do not stop. Economic growth slowed down, the energy crises slow down businesses. "Confident that they have the human resources to turn things round." "Goal –Business friendly in Ghana, Build partnership with labor." "Build most business friendly economy in Africa" "The Budget will address the challenges and to strengthen tax administration." "Broaden tax base, accountability protect public purse to meet demands of the public. Reduce government borrowing." "Combat tax evasion at ports." "Government to boost agriculture." "Inefficiency in govt’s expenditures will not be tolerated." "We will pursue effective debt management Strategy" "Roll out free SHS to ensure equal opportunity." "Committed to continuing the IMF program." “Targets for 2017 11.2% inflation” “Gov’t to use appropriate policy to reduce housing deficit” “11.900 km of routine road maintenance activities will be carried out”.... “School feeding program will be reviewed to make it more efficient”..... Gov’t to initiate measures to abolish taxes on import duties" "Abolish excise duties on petroleum produce".. “Reduce special petroleum tax from 17.596 to 1596”... “We shall abolish import duties on spare parts”.. “We shall abolish levies impose on Kayayes' ”.. “We shall abolish 17.5% tax on domestic airlines"... “We will streamline energy sector levies” “One district-one factory to commence this year”...... “Gov’t will initiate steps to establish fiscal council”….."The fiscal council will ensure credibility and accountability of public expenditure" “Government to set up three development authorities”……. “Workers not on biometrically registered with SSNIT will be taken off government’s payroll”.... “Government will eliminate all payments in cash at payment points in public institutions”…. “Government will ensure that robust sanctions regime will be enforced by all”….. Government will set up Zongo development fund with a seed money of 219.5m Ghana cedis…. “Government to restructure SADA”…….. “Government to implement free education program”……Adequate measure made to fund free SHSS policy” According to the Minister, corruption holds back economic growth. “Protecting the public purse is paramount” "Government intends to continue with inherited public projects"..... According to the Minister, corruption holds back economic growth. “Protecting the public purse is paramount”..... Government intends to continue with inherited public projects..... “Corruption acts to be regarded a case of felony not misdemeanor”... “We are ready to fix the economy and change the narrative”... More Soon