Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Minority Leader, has criticized the 2024 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government, referring to it as “an empty budget” and accusing the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Government of being out of touch with the needs of the people.

Speaking in the House after the Finance Minister, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, presented the budget, Dr Forson stated, “Mr. Speaker, let me say that this particular budget is the true definition of an empty budget. Clearly, Mr. Speaker, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Government has said bye-bye to the people of Ghana. This budget is insensitive and out of touch.”

Despite the government naming the 2024 budget the “Nkunim” or Victory Budget, the NDC Minority referred to it as the “Bye-bye Budget.”

Dr Forson emphasized concerns about the state of the economy, stating, “This Government is leaving behind a default economy or, in other words, a ‘yentua' economy. Mr. Speaker, this Government is leaving behind a budget that is debt-riddled.”

He highlighted various economic challenges, including hyperinflation, high food inflation, high economic policy rates, high lending rates, and high unemployment rates. Additionally, Dr Forson accused the government of leaving behind a legacy of massive and uncontrolled corruption.

“Mr. Speaker, this is the scorecard of this Government. This is the legacy they are leaving behind,” concluded the Minority Leader.