Deputy Finance Minister Refutes Minority’s Claims of Economic Stability Through Non-Spending
Deputy Minister of Finance, Thomas Ampem Nyarko, has rejected claims by the Minority that the current stability in Ghana’s economy is artificial and merely a result of government inertia in spending.
Speaking ahead of the presentation of the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review in Parliament, Mr Nyarko described the Minority’s assertions as “outright falsehood,” insisting that government expenditure is ongoing and will be evidenced in the Finance Minister’s presentation.
“At the end of this presentation, you will realise that contrary to what the opponents have been saying—that we are not spending—we are spending,” Mr Nyarko stated. “And so you’ll hear details about it.”
The Minority had earlier argued that the government’s economic performance was misleading, alleging that Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) had not received budgetary allocations and that contractors remained unpaid—claims Mr Nyarko categorically refuted.
Fees and Charges Review Explained
Touching on the long-delayed review of statutory fees and charges, the Deputy Minister provided further clarity, attributing the delay to procedural issues inherited from the previous administration.
“For about three years now, there hasn’t been a review of some of the fees and charges,” he explained. “In fact, the previous administration laid the amendment in the 8th Parliament, but it did not make the required number of days certain for it to pass into law.”
According to Mr Nyarko, the current administration chose to take a more holistic and thorough approach rather than simply reintroducing the previous proposal. “Instead of relaying the exact term that they brought, we decided to look at it holistically and bring it. So that is exactly what we are doing—there’s nothing new.”
Economic Adjustments and Inflation Considerations
The Deputy Minister also confirmed the reintroduction of road tolls, alongside the introduction of new charges by the Narcotics Control Commission, including those related to cannabis regulation—moves he said were informed by current economic realities and the need to preserve the value of revenue streams.
“We use the cumulative inflation factor,” he said. “You will agree with me that if fees were fixed three years ago—with inflation as high as it was and as low as we are trying to bring it—you need to adjust it almost every year to maintain the value of the fees.”
The mid-year budget review is expected to provide updated macroeconomic targets, fiscal performance data, and outline key policy adjustments for the remainder of the year.
