Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has accused the Minority in Parliament of advocating a return to what he described as the reckless borrowing and spending practices of the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on Thursday, July 24, Dr. Forson dismissed the Minority’s criticism of the government’s fiscal policies, arguing that it reflected the previous administration’s approach to managing the economy.
“What do you expect? This is a government that, during their time, eight years, they were used to reckless spending,” he said.
“So he (Kojo Oppong Nkrumah) is used to over-expenditure—a finance minister who just signs cheques, borrows left, right, and centre, and spends even if you don’t have money. So that is what you should expect from them. They are interested in nothing but reckless borrowing and reckless expenditure.”
The Finance Minister maintained that the current administration would not follow the same path, describing it as a disciplined government committed to prudent financial management and targeted public investment.
“This government is not going that way. This is a disciplined government. This is a government that is spending on the right things,” he stated.
Dr. Forson further criticised the previous administration for, in his view, prioritising less important expenditures while failing to meet statutory obligations to key public institutions and social intervention programmes.
“You recall that during their time, they were just spending and failing to pay the National Health Insurance, Ghana Education Trust Fund, and District Assembly Common Fund. So they were spending on the wrong things and leaving the right things,” he said.
According to him, the delayed release of funds had widespread consequences, affecting healthcare providers, school feeding caterers and education financing.
“National Health Insurance was always crying; providers were always in the news; school feeders were saying they were not being paid; GETFund was not being paid; all of that,” he added.
Dr. Forson argued that the situation had improved under the current administration, with government expenditure now focused on priority sectors while advancing national development.
“Today, it has changed. We are spending money on the right things, and development is also happening at the same time,” he said.
Questioning the Minority’s alternative approach, the Finance Minister asked whether it was advocating increased borrowing despite revenue constraints.
“I don’t know what they want us to do. They want us to borrow more? Even though you are not getting revenue, borrow and borrow and spend until there is no tomorrow—is that what they want us to do?” he asked.
