It would be recalled that in the 2023 Budget Statement and Financial Policy, the government stated, “to boost local productive capacity, we will among others: cut the imports of public sector institutions that rely on imports either for inputs or consumption by 50% and will work with the Ghana Audit Service and the Internal Audit Agency to ensure compliance; support the aggressive production of strategic substitutes, including the list disclosed at the President’s last address to the nation; Support large-scale agriculture and agribusinesses interventions through the Development Bank Ghana and ADB Bank; introduce policies for the protection and incubation newly formed domestic industries to allow them to make the goods produced here competitive for local consumption and also for exports. To promote exports, we will among others: expand our productive capacity in the real sector of the economy and actively encourage the consumption of locally produced rice, poultry, vegetable oil and fruit juices, ceramic tiles among others.”
For Tabitha Ayellah, the Bolgatanga Central Communication Officer for the NPP, sharing hr thoughts about the 2023 Budget Statement and Financial Policy explained that the content of the budget is in sync with the government agenda of resourcing the private sector, creating employment and leading Ghana out of current economic doldrums.
But for the government to succeed in boosting the local productive capacity, then Ghanaians would have to play a part.
“If you look at the budget that was read by the Minister, Ken Ofori Atta, I think the call is a good call. Why agriculture? Agriculture because it is what would sustain our GDP. A country that doesn’t produce is a country that’s poor. A country that cannot feed itself is a country that is leading itself to a very deep pit. I think that in Ghana, we just have to rethink our preferences. It is getting out of hand. Apples are not fruits that are local. What are we doing with our local fruits?,” she asked.
Madam Ayellah was worried about the quantum of products imported into the country.
“We live in a country where everything is imported. Our cosmetics are imported. Our clothing is imported; everything is. I do not know what it is that we don’t import. When we are importing we need to convert to other currencies before we can do that and this affects our currency,” she said.
According to Madam Ayellah, the quality of locally produced goods have increased, as such, there’s no reason why Ghanaians can’t choose those.
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1MHz|Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith|Ghana
