Ken Ofori-Atta attributes his speedy recovery to God and prayers from Ghanaians
The Finance Minister nominee Ken Ofori-Atta is attributing his recovery to God and prayers from Ghanaians. Speaking at the Virtual PwC Post Budget Forum Tuesday, from his base in the USA he noted that doctors who were “handling” him are even surprised with his fast recovery rate.
He also thanked the President’s special representative at the Finance Minister, Charles Adu Boahene and the personal at the ministry for how they handled the budget preparation and presentation.
The Finance Ministry on February 14, announced that the President’s nominee, Ken Ofori Atta will travel to the US for a special medical review based on doctors advice. This was as a result of the medical complications he suffered after recovering from Covid-19 in December last year.
Mr Ofori-Atta requested another time to be vetted by Parliament’s Appointments Committee as his condition did not make it possible for him to face it. He was, however, expected to return in two weeks, but could not make it on time.
Speaking from his base in the USA, the Finance Minister nominee also maintained the various programs and policy measures outlined in the 2021 Budget presents a fine opportunity to quickly turn things around.
On the GhanaCares program, he noted that a committee will soon be put in place to help with the implementation of the initiative and give more details on the areas that will be targeted and supported that will help in stimulating economic growth.
Government is looking at raising about 72.4 billion in revenue and grants. It is expected that 55.6 billion will come from taxes. However, some analysts and tax consultants have raised issues with these policy measures.
The Finance Minister-designate noted that these tax measures are noted in the short to medium term to quickly stabilise the revenue situation in the country, whiles it working to deal other concerns that have been highlighted by some stakeholders.
Mr Ofori-Atta was optimistic that measures outlined in the budget can bring about the needed recovery and deal with the associated shocks of the Covid-19 on the economy. Speaking at the same program, Country Senior Partner, Vish Ashiagbor, was optimistic that government will be able to hit its projected economic growth of 5 per cent for the year.
However, the firm’s Tax Partner, Abeiku Gyan-Quansah was worried about some of the tax measures that have been announced in the 2021 Budget.
Source: Myjoyonline
