According to him, the budget statement should have featured new projects and practical steps put in place to abate the socio-economic challenges confronting the citizenry but this he said was not visible in the 2012 budget presentation. He stated that the Finance Minister, Dr. Kwabena Duffour, only sought to recap the already established budgetary points in the previous years.
"The theme of the budget is actually not reflected by the account or if you like the figures and the projects that were outlined in the budget and also that the previous budget was not well appreciated in the current budget. There seems to be a recurrence of most of the things that have been mentioned in the 2009/2010, 2011 budget", the CPP National Youth Organizer told X fm's morning show host, Abena Asiedua.
He cited that highlights of the budget should have made a provision for the construction of the Kintampo-Techiman road which in his view slows down the activities of the inhabitants, hence, doubting the Mills-led administration's commitment to helping the people of Kintampo.
"...particularly the main road that runs through the Kintampo town. It is in bad shape; it's supposed to be a double lane. We are not too sure of the government's commitment to it", he noted.
He however applauded the government for its desire to rehabilitate the railway linking the two towns but was quick to describe the pace of work on the railway as a work done "in the colonial pattern".
He believes the budget statement which was themed "Infrastructure Development for Accelerated Growth and Job Creation' is just a measure to throw dust into the eyes of Ghanaians.
Citing some of the inadequacies in the budget, the former CPP National Youth Organizer said contrary to the NDC's manifesto pledge to quit the imposition of new taxes, the government has rather introduced more taxes which deviates the very purpose why they were voted into power.
Recounting further the inconsistencies in the 2012 budget and economic planning statement, he said that the declaration of a single digit inflationary rate by the Finance Minister is an attempt to hero-worship the Mills' administration instead of addressing the poor living conditions of the citizenry.
He also charged Dr. Duffour with complicity in presenting "false" figures to the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which attracted a fine of 36 million dollars, hence, asserting that "The Minister for finance has a record of throwing falsehood and half-truths."
Kwabena Bomfeh, also known as Kabila, outlined that the activities of the ruling government have created economic problems and as a result made the country bankrupt. Supporting his claim with facts, he revealed that the government has since not sourced money to defray its debt to the National Youth Employment Council.
He also called on the government to state precisely what the money allocated to the media would be used for.
Story by Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Xfm 95.1/Accra/Ghana
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