The New Juaben South Member of Parliament (MP) has described the 2015 budget statement as rehashed budget which does not give any hope for the future of the nation.
“I’m sure this is not the first time we are hearing this. People can’t pay the school fees of their children, we sleep in darkness and then you tell me the prospects are bright,” Dr. Mark Assibey-Yeboah fumed.
He dismissed the Finance Minister’s assurance that Ghanaians will feel the impact of government’s economic policies in three years.
[contextly_sidebar id=”LwtTLl9kenebNVR5J45RWMvUnhku28JV”]Dr. Assibey-Yeboah stated that the prospects of the nation under the Mahama administration remain bleak and will continue to be so until major reforms are undertaken.
Finance Minister, Seth Terkper on Wednesday presented the 2015 budget statement in Parliament where he announced some major proposals and other crucial interventions the government is undertaking to turn the country’s economic fortunes around.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Thursday, Mr. Terkper was optimistic that the nation’s economic situation will improve in the coming years.
But Dr. Assibey-Yeboah who is also a member of Parliament’s finance committee challenged the government to provide the basic needs of citizens which he says is the only means through which Ghanaians can be assured of a bright future.
He said: “If they are bright, provide energy for industries. Provide reliable energy for all of us but when I look at the conditions pertaining right now. Nothing looks bright about the future.”
The New Juaben South Legislator insisted that the budget has a lot of recycled material.
He cited the construction of the 50 community based schools saying, “for instance, in 2013, we were told that the government was going to put up 50 community based schools. It was repeated in the 2014 budget and yesterday, the Minister repeated it.”
In relation to the Special Petroleum Tax which was passed by Parliament on Wednesday night, Dr. Assibey-Yeboah described it as a criminal imposition.”
He accused the government of passing through the “back door to introduce new tax that increases fuel prices.”
“Is this not a crime?” he asked, adding that it is disappointing for government to rake in more revenue by increasing taxes.
By: Efua Idan Osam/citifmonline.com/Ghana