The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta, will today April 8, 2020 present a policy statement on government’s measures to contain the novel coronavirus pandemic.
A statement from Parliament said Ken Ofori Atta address will also facilitate the transaction of urgent business of Parliament.
“The Finance Minister, is scheduled to present a policy statement to the House in accordance with Standing Order 70 (2) on matters relating to government measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease as well as facilitate the transaction of any urgent business,” the statement signed by Parliament’s Director of Public Affairs, Kate Addo noted.
The last time the Finance Minister was in Parliament, he announced that the cumulative effect of the novel coronavirus pandemic will cost Ghana GHS9.505 billion.
He also announced a GHS1 billion Coronavirus Alleviation Programme that will be funded from the Ghana Stabilisation Fund. The Minister proposed the amendment of the Petroleum Revenue Management Act to allow the government to utilize portions of the Heritage Fund.
However, the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu argued that the government’s financial programmes must directly affect the ordinary Ghanaian.
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“There is no difficulty in giving him (Finance Minister) approval to use the stabilization Fund but what we are saying is that the Heritage Fund was set out for a purpose and we are not there yet. So make use of the stabilization reserve to support your activities and not the Heritage Fund,” Haruna Iddrisu insisted.
The Heritage Fund is a creation of section 10 of the Petroleum Revenue Management Act 815 enacted in 2011.
The purpose of the establishment of this fund is to provide an endowment to support the development of future generations when the petroleum reserves have been depleted according to Act 815 (2011) and amended Act 893 (2015).
