Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta has presented the 2017 Budget and Government Economic Policy dubbed the "Asempa Budget" before Parliament on Thursday, March 2.
Delivering the budget statement on the floor of the House, Hon. Ofori-Atta reiterated the commitment of government to combat corruption in the country.
According to him, as part of the government's objective, it will amend the criminal code to "make corruption a felony instead of a misdemeanor" to serve as a deterrent.
He further stated that the government will further pass the Right to Information Bill to also check the influx of corruption.
"Mr. Speaker, this government is committed to passing the right to information bill as part of our tools in fighting corruption. We will not pay lip service to fighting corruption.”
The Finance Minister also added that the "government will pursue a combination of institutional and legislation reform as part of our anti-corruption policy including establishing the office of the Special Prosecutor…”
Touching on the economic sector, he also pledged that the current administration will ensure fiscal discipline in the country by strengthening tax administrations and reducing levies that won't help the economy.
"Revenue administration remains a challenge. To boost revenue streams, we will strengthen tax administration, reduce tax exemptions, plug revenue loopholes and leakages and combat tax evasion especially at our ports. We will broaden the tax base whilst reducing and abolishing some taxes and levies.
"The National Identification Scheme, a priority project of this administration, which we intend to re-launch this year, will support our efforts to rope in the economically active but undocumented citizens and the informal sector of the economy thereby broadening the tax base and accelerating financial inclusion . . . We will protect the public purse.”
Hon. Ken Ofori-Atta assured Ghanaians that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his team of government officials will not disappoint, hence naming this year's budget statement "Asempa Budget"; to wit the budget with good news. |
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