Forum to be held on 2014 Budget

A two-day advocacy programme on the 2013 budget and the expectations for 2014 is expected to kick off in Accra on August 6, 2013.

The forum, which is being organised by the Institute of Financial and Economic Journalists (IFEJ) with support from Star-Ghana, is to afford Civil Society Organisations (CSO), stakeholders and the media the opportunity to provide input in addressing Ghana’s economic challenges, assess government’s approach to managing it and offer suggestion on the way forward for the 2014 fiscal year.

A statement copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Monday said former Minister of Finance Dr Kwesi Botchway will officially open the forum.

The theme for the forum is, “Tracking the Performance of the 2013 Budget and Expectations for 2014.”

The statement said 10 thematic areas including the fiscal and current account deficits, issues pertaining to the health sector, employment generation, infrastructure developments and the role of agriculture in the socio-economic development of the country would be discussed.

“Other areas are the projects to be undertaken under the Public Private Partnership, the current system of education, issues on sustainable energy and social protection,” it said.

IFEJ in March this year organized a four-day advocacy programme for some members of Parliament a week after the 2013 Budget Statement and Economic Policy was presented by the Minister of Finance Mr. Seth Terpker on the floor of Parliament.

This was followed by a two-day forum in Kumasi for journalists and other stakeholders in the Northern sector comprising Upper East, Upper West, Northern, Brong Ahafo and Ashanti regions.

The statement said tomorrow’s event will kick start the debate and discussion for the 2014 Budget Statement and collate views in order to help government come up with a meaningful budget that would be owned by all.

Source: GNA