Ranking Member on Parliament’s Economy and Development Committee, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has called on the Ghanaian government to account for funds allocated to its existing economic programmes. He stated that about GH¢650 billion was allocated to support various economic programmes, including the 24-hour economy, the One Million Coders programme, and the Women’s Development Bank. Oppong Nkrumah emphasized that the government must demonstrate the results achieved from these programmes before shifting its focus to new economic agendas.
Oppong Nkrumah made these remarks on JoyNews’ The Pulse, highlighting the need for accountability in the use of funds allocated to economic programmes. He cited the 24-hour economy, which was presented to Ghanaians with a promise of creating jobs through three shifts involving three people. However, he questioned the progress made in implementing the policy, stating that the 24-hour economy "is still a hoax" and that "there is no one-three-shift system happening anywhere."
The lawmaker also raised concerns about the One Million Coders programme, the Women’s Development Bank, and other initiatives, arguing that the government had not provided sufficient evidence of the results achieved. He emphasized that announcing a new economic programme without accounting for existing commitments amounted to shifting attention away from programmes that had already been presented to Ghanaians.
Oppong Nkrumah's comments come as the government prepares to introduce a proposed "new economy" in the 2027 Budget. He urged the government to account for the resources allocated to its existing programmes before proceeding with new initiatives. This call for accountability is part of Oppong Nkrumah's oversight role as Ranking Member on Parliament’s Economy and Development Committee.
The GH¢650 billion allocated to economic programmes is a significant investment in Ghana's economic development. Oppong Nkrumah's demand for accountability reflects concerns about the effectiveness of these programmes and the need for transparency in the use of public funds. His comments are likely to spark a national conversation about the government's economic policies and the need for accountability.
Oppong Nkrumah's concerns about the government's economic programmes are not limited to the 24-hour economy and the One Million Coders programme. He also questioned the progress made in implementing other initiatives, including the Women’s Development Bank and Nkokonkitinkiti. His comments highlight the need for a comprehensive evaluation of the government's economic policies and their impact on Ghanaian citizens.
The government is expected to respond to Oppong Nkrumah's call for accountability and provide details about the results achieved from the GH¢650 billion allocated to economic programmes. This response will likely be crucial in determining the fate of the proposed "new economy" in the 2027 Budget and the government's overall economic agenda.
Key points
- Oppong Nkrumah demands accountability for GH¢650bn allocated to government economic programmes.
- The government must demonstrate results achieved from existing programmes before introducing new economic agendas.
- Oppong Nkrumah's call for accountability reflects concerns about transparency and effectiveness in the use of public funds.
