Prof. John Gatsi has lashed out at the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta again saying the NDC MPs’ rejection of the 2022 budget was due to the arrogance, lack of consultation, policy inconsistencies on the part of the government and its officials – this was contained in a Facebook post.
“The big news in Ghana is the rejection of the 2022 budget and its associated economic policies. We are not accustomed to the rejection of national budgets. In western democracies, budgets are sometimes rejected and in some cases budgets have been approved just hours before the deadline.” – Prof. Gatsi writes
“Normally, when national budgets are rejected, the business of government comes to a halt such that nothing could be done. Especially, public sector workers could not be paid because there is no appropriation. We still have over a month to revisit the fiscal and specific economic policies to reflect the sentiments put out in many forms by the public, key stakeholders, and the youth.” – He said
According to the Economist, “A budget rejection only means that the government should reengage the key stakeholders to address the differences.” adding “The good news is that Ghanaians and the minority in parliament eloquently articulated fiscal measures for which they rejected the budget. So it should not be difficult to revise the economic policies bearing in mind pouring old wine into a new bottle does not make it “new wine“.
Prof. Gatsi attributed the situation to the Finance Minister’s refusal to adhere to a time-tested process of preparing and presenting a budget.
“So why did we get to this point? Refusal to adhere to the time-tested process of preparing and presenting a budget. It is common practice to engage and consult with relevant stakeholders to take inputs on specific policies. But the reaction from traders, businesses, unions, telecom chamber, Parliament, just to mention a few, clearly showed there were not enough consultations. Beyond zero consultations with stakeholders, there was apparent inconsistency and unnecessary comparisons. “Today, the e- levy will affect bank transactions, says a deputy minister of finance then tomorrow another deputy minister – it will not affect bank transactions“. This development was very irritating that those introducing the levy do not know the scope of transactions to be affected.”
Read his full article:
Why the rejection of the 2022 budget: lack of consultation, policy inconsistencies, and arrogance were key
The big news in Ghana is the rejection of the 2022 budget and its associated economic policies. We are not accustomed to the rejection of national budgets. In western democracies, budgets are sometimes rejected and in some cases budgets have been approved just hours before the deadline.
Normally, when national budgets are rejected, the business of government comes to a halt such that nothing could be done. Especially, public sector workers could not be paid because there is no appropriation. We still have over a month to revisit the fiscal and specific economic policies to reflect the sentiments put out in many forms by the public, key stakeholders, and the youth.
A budget rejection only means that the government should reengage the key stakeholders to address the differences. The good news is that Ghanaians and the minority in parliament eloquently articulated fiscal measures for which they rejected the budget. So it should not be difficult to revise the economic policies bearing in mind pouring old wine into a new bottle does not make it “new wine“.
So why did we get to this point? Refusal to adhere to the time-tested process of preparing and presenting a budget. It is common practice to engage and consult with relevant stakeholders to take inputs on specific policies. But the reaction from traders, businesses, unions, telecom chamber, Parliament, just to mention a few, clearly showed there were not enough consultations. Beyond zero consultations with stakeholders, there was apparent inconsistency and unnecessary comparisons. “Today, the e- levy will affect bank transactions, says a deputy minister of finance then tomorrow another deputy minister – it will not affect bank transactions“. This development was very irritating that those introducing the levy do not know the scope of transactions to be affected.
Another reason was arrogance and “feeling superior” to other citizens and stakeholders. At a forum on the levy, those opposed to the levy or suggested a revision were described as telling “ananse stories”. As for insults and attacks on social media, it is a whole thesis. The finance minister started blaming Universities for not training graduates well thus e- levy is needed to create jobs.
Well, we will definitely need a budget for 2022. The finance ministry and the government can revise the policies significantly to factor in the “ananse stories” which are available on social media, radio stations etc..
The rejection should teach all of us to be open to consultation and respect other opinions. Instead of treating the rejection like losing a World cup finals, let us go back to the consultation process with respect. The rejection can be painful because it has potential political implications, sends a negative fiscal outlook given the arguments that heralded the vote.
As we wait for a new budget, we should avoid the “we against them fallacy ”, disrespectful descriptions, and arrogance. Ghanaians expect a truly new wine not old wine in a new bottle.
