- "This is one of the few budgets that is going to be looking at ensuring that other projects that have not been completed is going to be completed, so the budget is themed completion, consolidation and continuity."
Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, the founder and executive director of the Kandifo Institute, has described government’s decision to complete projects that have been halted for so many years as very apt.
Speaking in an interview with Asaaseradio.com on the 2021 Budget, Boakye-Danquah said the move will inure to the benefit of the citizenry.
“This is one of the few budgets that is going to be looking at ensuring that other projects that have not been completed is going to be completed, so the budget is themed completion, consolidation and continuity,” he said.
Boakye-Danquah added: “And for me when I look at this particularly, it means that yes, we want to develop as a country regardless of the political party that is in power. If political party A did some infrastructure and developmental works that were not completed, political party B will ensure those projects are completed in the interest of the country.”
Innovative taxes
He further commended government for introducing innovative taxes to help shore up revenue in the 2021 Budget presented by caretaker finance minister Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.
Meanwhile, Adu Owusu Sarkodie, a lecturer at the Department of Economics at the University of Ghana, has also commended government for taking the bold initiative to ensure projects that have been halted are completed.
Speaking on The Asaase Breakfast Show on Monday, Sarkodie said the era of leaving projects started by previous and successive governments must stop.
“There must be a paradigm shift… this budget is focused on ensuring that irrespective of who started what project, they will be completed. One main problem in the country is the abandonment of old projects of previous governments,” the economist said.
He added: “This budget is focused on finishing all yet to be completed projects before new projects are started. However, the president must have his priorities; if he is able to complete even half of what has not been completed, I will be happy.”
Fred Dzakpata
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