Finance Minister, Kenneth Ofori-Atta has said Ghana has been adjudged one of the best countries that have effectively managed the Covid-19 crises.
He says an increase in business and consumer confidence was a sign of the government’s efficient management of the Covid-19 pandemic.
He made the statement on the floor of Parliament today, October 28, 2020, whilst presenting a budget to cater for the first quarter of 2021.
“Indeed our efforts have been adjudged as one of the best three in the world. Mr. Speaker, the robustness of our macroeconomic fundamentals and the efficacy of Government’s Covid-19 mitigation measures have been borne out by recent indicators.”
“According to the Bank of Ghana’s surveys in August 2020, consumer confidence is bouncing back strongly and is currently above pre-Covid-19 lockdown levels,” the Minister indicated.
Mr. Ofori-Atta outlined some policies including the Obaatanpa programme and the provision of free water and electricity as some of the provisions made by the government to cushion Ghanaians in the wake of the pandemic.
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Below are some other interventions the government made according to the Minister.
- Implementing the GHc1, 342 million Covid-19 Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan to protect lives.
- Operationalising the GHc1.2 Billion Coronavirus Alleviation Programme (CAP) to support businesses.
- Launching a GHc2 Billion Guarantee Scheme to enable SMEs borrow at a more affordable rate.
- Supporting the GHc3 Billion credit and stimulus package by commercial banks in Ghana to revitalise industries, especially pharmaceutical, hospitality, services and manufacturing sectors.
The Minority in Parliament in May slammed the government for selling “false hope” in its management of the pandemic.
It maintained that Ghana was still in a precarious situation despite the state saying Ghana may have reached its peak for infections and claimed government was manipulating data on the virus’ spreading in Ghana.
Government however rubbished these claims, insisting Ghana’s approach was one of the best in the continent.