Accra: The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority Caucus in Parliament has labeled the 2025 Budget and Economic Policy Statement as an 'Azaa Budget'-meaning a scam-that provides no hope or inspiration for the youth of Ghana.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader, criticized the budget presented by the Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, stating that it was full of lamentations similar to the President's State of the Nation Address. He expressed his surprise that a major initiative like the 24-hour economy policy, which was a key point during the 2024 election campaign, was absent from this year's budget.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin highlighted the anticipation among the youth to hear how the 24-hour economy policy would drive economic transformation and job creation. However, they were left disappointed due to the lack of details concerning this policy. He further noted that the budget merely repeated existing social intervention programs without offering any new hope or inspiration.
The Minority Leader also questioned how the government, which had previously criticized the state of the economy inherited from the NPP as 'criminally managed and in crisis,' could report a growth of 5.7 percent in 2024, as indicated by the Ghana Statistical Service. He pointed out that under Mahama's administration, the economy is projected to grow by four percent with a three-month import cover, contrasting with the previous year's performance.
The budget presentation followed an economic dialogue organized by the government last week, which aimed to bring together leading experts and stakeholders to address the current economic issues. The budget is anticipated to enhance macro-economic stability, promote good governance, implement structural policy reforms, facilitate infrastructure development, and boost productivity and economic growth.