Kojo Oppong Nkrumah shares expectations ahead of 2025 budget

The Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has urged the government to boldly implement the promises in their campaign manifesto.

According to him, the time for propaganda and politics is over, and the 2025 budget is an opportunity to brief Ghanaians on the way forward.

Speaking to GhanaWeb ahead of the budget presentation on March 11, 2025, he said the NDC made about 273 promises in their manifesto, which should see some fruition as they present their first budget in parliament.

“There are also about 273 promises they made in the manifesto. This is the time to start giving life to them; we’ve finished the elections. The politics is over; the propaganda is over.

“He also has to make sure the fiscal consolidation strategy we all agreed on- reduce taxes, reduce expenditure, reduce borrowing- he will give life to it. Not that he will take away about three taxes for political funfair and introduce six more at the back,” he told Mawuli Ahorlumegah.

Oppong Nkrumah urged the government to present the state of the economy truthfully without falsifying or misrepresenting figures.

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Qatar Charity, an internation­al non-govern­mental organi­sation (NGO), has inaugurat­ed a refurbished mosque at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra at the weekend.

The new facility is expected to be a centre for worship, learning, and spiritual growth for military personnel and the broader com­munity.

It has been transformed into a state-of-the-art religious facility with an office and 10 ablution rooms, a three-classroom, Quran memorisation centre with an office and an Imam’s residence, a mechanised borehole, a mortuary with a washroom, a power house and a stamped concrete com­pound.

Commander of the 37 Mili­tary Hospital, Brigadier General Prosper Ayibor, said the mosque would enable military personnel, civilian staff, hospital clients and visitors to perform their religious obligations.

The Country Director of Qatar Charity, Mr Hasan Ali Owda, commended the hospi­tal authorities, and the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) for swiftly responding to the NGO’s request to reconstruct the 37 Military Hospital mosque.

The representative of One Ummah Ghana, Mr Terek Merabi, on behalf of the group, praised the NGO for renovating the mosque to promote religious activities.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Issah Adam Yaku­bu, noted that the mosque would serve as a spiritual sanctuary for military personnel and their families.

“This mosque stands as a bea­con of faith, unity, and spiritual solace. As a military institution, we recognise that strength is not only measured by the might of our weapons or the strategy of

 our operations, but also by the resilience of our spirits and the faith that binds us together. In times of peace and adversity, it is our faith that provides us with comfort, direction, and a sense of purpose,” he elaborated.

“The Ghana Armed Forces remains a professional institu­tion built on the principles of discipline, inclusivity, mutual respect, and religious diversity. This mosque is not just a place of worship, but a testament to the belief that unity in diversity is our strength,” Vice Admiral Yakubu said.

Former Ambassador to Egypt and retired Chief Imam of the GAF, Lieutenant Colonel Ummar Sanda Ahmed, expressed satisfac­tion at the collaboration between Qatar Charity and the military leadership in promoting religion.

“This mosque symbolises more than just a place of wor­

 ship; it represents community, unity, and shared faith. The idea of a mosque as a centre of togetherness has been beauti­fully captured in its design. May Allah abundantly reward Qatar Charity for their generosity,” he explained.

The ceremony also attracted high-profile personnel, including Commissioner of Customs and Director of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Brigadier General Ayorogo; Deputy Chief Staff Officer for Policy and Plans at the Army Headquarters, Brigadier General Yahuza Salifu; Director General of Medical and Dental Services, Brigadier General Appiah, Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Brigadier General Salifu Fuseini and the Director General of Religious Affairs of the GAF, Brigadier General Kumi Woode. —GNA

Parliament House, 11:00AM

“Government must deliberately grow Ghana as a taxable economy to boost revenue mobilisation” – Prof Godfred Alufar Bokpin, Economist

The National Democratic Congress Member of Parliament for Dormaa West, Mr Vincent Oppong Asamoah, has expressed confidence that the Budget will allocate funds towards agriculture and infrastructure development, especially roads, to improve food security and better the lives of Ghanaians.

“Government should de-risk the macroeconomy to allow the private sector to grow, and the money will come” – Prof Godfred Alufar Bokpin

“The introduction of new taxes will worsen the plight of Ghanaians” – Dr Gideon Boako, Deputy Ranking Member, Parliament’s Finance Committee

The New Patriotic Party Member of Parliament for New Juaben North, Nana Osei Adjei says he expects the Budget to remove the e-levy, betting tax and all the “nuisance taxes” as the NDC promised during the electioneering.

Parliament House, 10:25AM

Accra, Mar 11, GNA – Parliament awaits the presentation of government’s 2025 budget statement and economic policy by Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, Minister of Finance.

More soon.

The Ghana Tourism Authority has announce Taste 68@68, a food festival with the aim to celebrate and promote Ghana’s rich culinary to position Ghana as a prime food tourism destination. 

The event will showcase sixty-eight traditional and contemporary Ghanaian dishes, highlight Ghana’s rich agricultural produce and create business opportunities for food entrepreneurs.

The food festival which is a day’s event will be held at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, Accra on 14^th March, 2025. 

The ‘Taste 68@68′ food festival grand celebration will offer a display of Ghana’s diverse culinary landscapes with food stalls featuring dishes from various regions of the country. There will also be cooking competitions, musical/cultural performances and cultural exhibitions.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Mrs. Maame Efua Houadjeto said ‘the food festival is a step in the right direction; and it would be a grand and an excitingmoment to taste our local dishes and project Ghanaian cuisines and culture thereby making Ghana the preferred cultural hub in the sub region’

The Food Festival is an integral part of the Black Star Experience initiative, a strategic program designed to promote Ghana as the gateway to Africa. This initiative seeks to showcase Ghana’s rich cultural heritage, vibrant traditions, and warm hospitality, positioning Ghana as a premier destination for tourism, business, and cultural exchange.

Through the Black Star Experience, the authority aims to share the essence of Ghana with the world, highlighting our unique blend of traditional and modern attractions, from our historic forts and castles to our lively markets and festivals.

The Food Festival, with its diverse array of traditional dishes and local cuisine, is a key component of this initiative, offering a flavorful journey through Ghana’s culinary landscape. By promoting Ghanaian cuisine, music, art, and culture, we aim to create a lasting impression on visitors and inspire a deeper appreciation for our country’s rich heritage.

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The new survey found that 80 percent of businesses are confident in the 2025 budget

Local businesses have expressed strong confidence in the government’s 2025 budget, citing expectations of tax relief and economic expansion.

However, industry leaders warn that without decisive revenue generation and fiscal discipline, the country risks widening its fiscal deficit.

A new survey conducted by KPMG in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) found that 80 percent of businesses believe government policies in the 2025 budget will drive economic recovery.

The optimism is largely anchored in expectations that the administration of President John Mahama will abolish certain taxes and implement the 24-hour economy initiative, which many see as a catalyst for job creation and business expansion.

“More than 50 percent of respondents have called for the e-levy and COVID-19 levy to be scrapped,” the report stated, highlighting widespread dissatisfaction with these taxes.

While their removal would provide relief for businesses and consumers, the government would forgo an estimated GH¢6.4billion in revenue.

Survey respondents, which cut across large corporations and small businesses, acknowledged the challenge of maintaining fiscal stability while rolling back unpopular taxes. Many suggested alternative revenue measures, including broadening the tax base to incorporate the informal sector, reintroducing road tolls and taxing digital services.

“Rather than simply removing revenue measures, this presents an opportunity to explore alternative solutions such as enhancing tax compliance, leveraging AI-driven tax audits and addressing illicit financial flows,” stated UNDP Ghana’s Resident Representative, Niloy Baerjee.

Expanding property taxation is another key recommendation. The report suggests implementing a tiered property tax, which would be added to household utility bills and based on property value and use “for direct and equitable collection”.

It also proposes accelerating the rollout of digital cadastral mapping to improve documentation of property ownership and valuation, ensuring more efficient tax collection.

The informal sector remains a significant untapped revenue source, with businesses advocating “a flat-rate or tiered tax system for informal sector operators (e.g., traders, artisans), with simplified registration and mobile-friendly filing platforms in multiple languages”.

Additionally, respondents called for a digital services tax targetting freelancers, content creators and gig workers, many of whom operate outside traditional tax structures.

Beyond revenue generation, the survey highlights a need for aggressive expenditure control and waste reduction. Respondents identified several areas where the government could curb spending without compromising essential services.

“One of the most immediate ways to address revenue shortfalls is to improve efficiency in government spending and plug revenue leakages,” the report stated, pointing to procurement inefficiencies, salary fraud and loss-making state-owned enterprises (SOEs) as major concerns.

To address procurement waste, respondents recommended “mandating the publication of all awarded contracts, including pricing, scope and selection criteria – via the e-Procurement system – for public scrutiny.”

The survey also called for a comprehensive audit of the public payroll system to remove ghost workers and streamline payroll processes.

In the public sector, businesses support freezing recruitment and limiting wage increases – with 30 percent calling for a ban on luxury vehicle imports for government use. The report suggests privatising or divesting underperforming SOEs to reduce their drain on state resources.

The survey also reflects broad support for government’s proposed 24-hour economy initiative, with 72 percent of respondents believing it will create jobs and drive economic expansion. However, businesses emphasise that its success depends on critical infrastructure improvements.

“For Ghana’s 24-hour economy to work, the right infrastructure, policies and incentives must be in place,” the report noted.

The top priorities include enhancing security and public safety, ensuring reliable electricity supply and improving transportation networks.

Businesses also suggest targetted tax breaks and grants for sectors naturally suited to round-the-clock operations, including healthcare, digital services, logistics and retail.

“This year’s report arrives at a moment of renewed hope… The 2025 budget stands as a canvas to paint this shared ambition, blending innovative policies with practical measures to deliver on the government’s mandate,” added KPMG’s Country Managing Partner, Andy Akoto.

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