2019 Budget Statement to be presented to Parliament on 15th Nov

The Speaker of Parliament Rt Hon Prof Michael Aaron Oquaye made this known in Parliament today when the house commenced its third Meeting of the year today after going on recess for over three months.

According to the Speaker, the Parliamentary Service Board will soon meet the President, Nana Akuffo Addo at the Jubilee House to discuss the creation of a parliamentary enclave.

The 2019 budget is expected to programs aimed at supporting the government’s industrialization agenda and in infrastructure projects. It would also look at programs that would help improve the environment for the growth of businesses.

IMF program and 2019 budget

Another critical focus for this budget would be the fact that it may not be tied to IMF targets and conditionalities.

This is because it would be the first post-IMF budget since the NPP government assumed office.

Sources say this would give the government the room to come out with its own programs, which they believe could fast-track the growth of the economy and create the required jobs.

One area that has already generated a lot of debate according to reports is the proposed review of government’s revenue measures which may impact on its tax policies for next year.

Proposed fiscal targets

Sources say the Finance Minister is likely to propose about GH?61 billion revenue target, about GH?10 billion jump from the 2018 budget.

On the expenditure side, the budget could propose GH?71 billion spending target for next year.   

Rt. Hon. Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye also announced the commencement today of transmission of Parliamentary proceedings in sign language for members of the public who cannot hear to understand proceedings of the House. 

The Minority Leader Hon Haruna Iddrisu lauded the transmission of Parliamentary proceedings into sign language aimed at bringing Parliament closer to the physically challenged persons in the country.