A Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Mrs Abena Osei-Asare, who launched the document on behalf of the Minister of Finance, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, said although the government was determined to implement projects that would transform the economy, it would require the support of every citizen for those projects to be achieved.

“This is why we are launching the Citizens Budget to enable everybody to understand the government’s agenda of improving the country’s economy,” she said.

Citizens Budget

The document is an abridged and simplified version of the 2018 budget statement and economic policy of the government.

It explains the contents of the national budget in simplified language. It is also a guide for the public to understand the contents of the budget.

Mrs Osei-Asare stated: “The objective is to promote understanding of the budget process and to crave for Ghanaians’ active participation in the process of development as true citizens.

Government’s promises

The deputy finance minister said since the current government took over about 11 months ago, efforts had been made to enhance the economy and improve the living conditions of the public.

She indicated that the government had kept faith with Ghanaians and implemented a number of the things promised in the 2017 budget in just 10 months.

“We have implemented the Free Senior High (SHS) policy, restored the teacher and nursing training allowance, ended dumsor and reduced taxes,” Mrs Osei-Asare said.

She reiterated the government’s belief that 2018 held a lot of prospects for every Ghanaian, hence the theme for the budget: “Putting Ghana back to work.”

“We have laid the necessary foundations, which include the passage of the enabling legislations to give legal backing to the policies and the establishment of the necessary administrative structures,” Mrs Osei-Asare noted.

Full implementation of the budget would begin next year, when many jobs would be created around the country for the teeming unemployed youth, she added.