The 2022 budget was themed ‘Building a Sustainable Entrepreneurial Nation: Fiscal Consolidation and Job Creation’. It is expected to consolidate the macroeconomic gains achieved post Covid-19 and address the economy’s short to medium-term risks.
- On revenue, the government projected to raise GH¢ 100.5 billion in total revenue and grants in 2022. I expect an update on how revenue has performed in the first half of the year.
- The government envisages increasing total revenue as a percentage of GDP from 16% in 2021 to 20% in 2022. Is government on the right path?
- More importantly, how has E-Levy performed. Will government review the E-Levy? Will government lower the rate further from the current 1.5%?
- On benchmark values, will government scrap entirely the policy?
- On expenditure, the government expects to spend GH¢ 137.5 billion, including arrears, in 2022 compared to GH¢ 113.7 billion in 2021. Is government on course?
- Government should give an update on how much savings it has made since introducing expenditure cuts in March, 2022. Some of the measures were; reducing fuel coupons to officials, ban on foreign travels etc. I don’t expect the minister to request for a supplementary estimate.
- I don’t expect an introduction of a new tax. I expect government to implement tax compliance measures. Also, I expect an update on the Tax Exemption Bill which is in parliament.
- On, property rate, what is the update on the unified platform for collection of property rates?
- What is the update on the review of the various flagship programmes of the government? There have been calls for a policy review of the Free Senior High School Programme. What measures will government put in place to make the policy sustainable should it remain free?
- What was the outcome of the data fact finding mission from the IMF? How soon does government expect to secure a deal from the Fund?
Emmanuel Amoah-Darkwah
Economist/ Partner @C-KADD GLOBAL