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2024 Budget will deal with issues of high taxes, rising cost of doing business – Ofori-Atta

The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta has disclosed that the 2024 budget will come out with programmes and initiatives that will deal with the high cost of doing business in the country.

He assured that the budget will also address concerns of “high and many taxes” affecting the private sector.

Mr. Ofori-Atta disclosed this on PM Express Business Edition with host George Wiafe on October 19, 2023.

“It’s very important that looking at where we are as country, everything must be done to support the private sector to help them play a critical role in the recovery of the economy”, he said.

“We have met all the interest groups from the private sector and their concerns will definitely be taken on board when it comes to the 2024 budget,” he promised.

Mr. Ofori-Atta also announced that the ministry has met all relevant stakeholders and unions.

“We have also met with Association of Ghana Industries, Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Ghana Union of Traders Association, and predominately issues about taxes have been their major priority and we have to deal with it”, he said.

He stated that there will be a Mutual Prosperity Dialogue engagement with the private sector before the budget presentation.

2024 Budget Presentation

In terms of Focus, the Finance Minister also disclosed that government will be looking at how to get the private sector back “into stable” position.

“This is because the government cannot do everything, so the private sector needs to be supported to help managers of the economy when it comes to job creation”, he added.

Ghana’s Financial Administration Act requires Parliament should by December 31 of each financial year should consider and approve the Annual Budget for the ensuing financial year.

However, based on this directive the 2024 Budget should then be presented before the end of November 2023. This will afford parliament enough time to scrutinize and deliberate on the budget, before the beginning of the New Year.

Finance Minister also disclosed that the 2024 Budget will be influenced by the Post COVID Programme for Economic Growht which is supported by the IMF in terms of intiatives aimed at supporting the recovery of the economy .

“This is because government cannot do everything, so the private sector needs to be supported to help managers of the economy, when it comes to job creation”, he added.

Ghana’s Financial Administration Act requires Parliament should by December 31 of each financial year should consider and approve the Annual Budget for the ensuing financial year.

However based on this directive the 2024 Budget should then be presented before the end of November 2023. This will afford parliament enough time to scrutinize and deliberate on the budget, before the beginning of the New Year.

Finance Minister also disclosed that the 2024 Budget will be influenced by Post COVID Programme for Economic Growht which is supported the IMF in terms of intiatives aimed at supporting in the recovery of the economy .

“We are targeting to present the Budget to parliament by November 15 2023” the Finance Minister disclosed

Expansion of the Economy

The Finance Minister also announced that the Government will also implement programmes that will help in the expansion of the economy and sustain the recent recovery.

The Finance Minister also disclosed that government is looking at growth hitting more than 2.5 percent by December 2023.

“The IMF expected Ghana to do averagely about 1.5 percent, but they have already indicated that they will be reviewing that projection going forward. We believe that we are going to do better when it comes to the expansion of the economy,” he said.

“We are committed to instituting programmes that will help sustain the numbers that we are witnessing when it comes to growth,” he added.

Mr. Ofori-Atta stated that the government will, in all this, not leave out jobs especially for the youth, as it will be rolling out some new programmes to help deal with issues of jobs for the youth in the country.

Source:Myjoyonline.com

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Zipline, GHS reduce maternal mortality in Ashanti Region by 56.4% – Study

A recent impact assessment study on aerial logistics to improve maternal health and emergencies has revealed a remarkable reduction in maternal mortality by 56.4% in Ghana’s Ashanti Region, thanks to the collaborative efforts of Zipline and the Ghana Health Service (GHS).

This was revealed at the National Ghana Health Service Research Conference organized by the Ghana Health Service in partnership with Zipline. The study, which focused on the impact of aerial logistics in healthcare, also noted a 19.9% increase in antenatal visits and a 25% rise in in-facility births, signaling a significant boost in maternal health outcomes.

The success according to the study is attributed to the on-demand availability of blood and essential medical supplies provided by Zipline’s innovative drone delivery system. This consistent access to critical resources has increased patient confidence in the healthcare system, encouraging more mothers to seek necessary care throughout their pregnancies.

Speaking on the highlight of the study, the Research Officer at Ashanti Regional Health Directorate stated, “the significant decrease in maternal mortality we’ve seen is a clear indication of the vital role that reliable access to medical supplies plays in healthcare. The ability to deliver blood and essential medicines exactly when they’re needed has transformed how mothers in the Ashanti Region perceive and engage with the healthcare system.”

“It’s an achievement that speaks to the importance of introducing technology in healthcare delivery. Mothers now feel more confident in seeking care, knowing that they will receive the support they need throughout their pregnancies,”he stated.

The study examined data from 191 health facilities, including hospitals, health centers, and Community-based Health and Planning Services (CHPS) Compounds. Among these, 99 facilities were served by Zipline’s aerial logistics, while 91 were not. The research employed adjusted rates for various key indicators, such as antenatal consultations, emergency visits, referrals, live births, hysterectomies, maternal deaths, and neonatal deaths, as the main dependent variables.

The qualitative aspect of the study aimed to describe and analyze the changes in satisfaction levels among healthcare providers and patients, perceived quality of care in maternal health and emergencies, and experiences related to the use of aerial logistics. In-depth interviews were conducted with 22 patients and 23 healthcare providers at the participating facilities.

Globally, maternal mortality remains a critical public health challenge, with stark disparities between high-income and low-to-middle-income countries (LMICs).

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the majority of maternal deaths occur in LMICs, often due to preventable causes. In Ghana, particularly in the Ashanti Region, the problem is critical, reflecting the broader challenges faced across the African continent. Beyond this, socio-economic, geographic, and infrastructural factors intensify the risks associated with pregnancy and childbirth, highlighting the urgent need for innovative solutions to improve maternal health outcomes.

As maternal mortality continues to pose a challenge in low-to-middle-income countries, the success seen in Ghana’s Ashanti Region offers a promising model for other regions and nations striving to improve maternal health outcomes through innovative solutions.

Zipline is poised to continue leading the way in revolutionizing healthcare delivery, ensuring that every mother has access to the life-saving resources, no matter where she lives.

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Traders, ‘Okada’ riders take over Circle pavement

• Korle-Bu CEO with staff of Nivaansh MediQas

Activities of traders and drug addicts are contributing to make the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange (Circle) area very uncomfortable and unsafe for commuters.

Day in and out, pedestrians are ‘ejected’ from the pavement created for their safety as traders preferred to sell their wares on that space.

Staff of the National Ambulance Service (NAS) showcasing their work

That hinders the free movement of the pedestrians.

The small space left for the pedestrians are also shared with ‘Okada’ riders.

As if these woes are not enough for a commuter on a single day, they also have to navigate carefully to avoid clashes with drug addicts and the mentally challenged.