Appointment Committee vets more Ministerial nominees
Accra, Feb. 10, Ghanadot/GNA – Dr
Kwabena Duffuor, Minister-nominee for the Ministry
of Finance and Economic Planning, on Tuesday told
the Appointments Committee of Parliament that the
automation of revenue agencies was critical to
improving upon revenue collection.
He said without the computerization of these
agencies, it would be difficult to stamp out corrupt
practices and stop the leakages in revenue
mobilization for national development.
Responding to questions from Committee members on
the fourth day of vetting, Dr Duffuor said wages’
growth should not be allowed to overtake revenue
growth because the Government might find itself
having to borrow to even pay the wages of workers.
He said the stabilization of macro-economic
indicators would be a top priority.
Dr Duffuor touched on the saving habits, saying
Ghanaians should be encouraged to learn to save with
the banks to improve upon their economic fortunes.
In response to a question that there were so many
banks operating in the country with little
improvement in the lot of many Ghanaians, he said it
was an area that the Finance Ministry would take a
look at.
Dr Duffuor said Ghana’s economy was challenged but
the country should not be labelled as ‘broke’ since
this could send wrong signals to investors.
He described money as a spiritual commodity, which
liked to operate in a good environment and,
therefore, a negative description of the economy
could bring about tension and drive away investors.
He said the National democratic Congress (NDC)
Government would work at assisting small businesses
to create employment for the people.
When Ms. Hannah Tetteh, Nominee for the Ministry of
Trade and Industry, took her turn, she told the
Committee that the NDC Government would review the
viability of projects under the President’s Special
Initiatives (PSI) and restructure the programme to
suit current needs.
She said the Government would also develop the small
and medium scale industries and look for on-lending
finances and also build skills in the sector under a
restructured National Board for Small-Scale
Industries to push the nation forward.
Ms Tetteh said programmes on food and agricultural
processing would be pursued to help the economy to
grow.
She said as part of dealing with the global
financial crisis and credit crunch, Ghana would
pursue a programme of regional trade and create
opportunities for Ghanaian products and services
through ECOWAS.
Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, Nominee for the Eastern
Region, told the Committee that he would promote the
development of local industries based on local
resources available in the area.
He touched on the bauxites deposits, local tourist
attractions and other areas that would receive his
attention to create employment for the people in the
area.
GNA
