The NPP's 2017 National Budget And Its Implementation

The 2017 budget drawn up by the NPP surely is a positive step towards economic transformation; a relief to several Ghanaians. Indeed it reflects the Presidency's vision and concern for majority of Ghanaians. A condemnation by the opposition (NDC) would do little or nothing to undermine the competency of the government at this juncture, and Ghanaians should rise above playing blind partisanship- a condition where no good is seen in anything that smells of an opposing party.

However, it is one thing to draw up a budget and an entirely different thing to implement it. The latter is more significant and difficult than the former. The capacity to draw up a good budget must work hand in hand with the capacity for good implementation else nothing is done-back to square one.

This is an administration where corruption, if engaged in, would easily be detected because $1 million donated to each constituency would have to be accounted for. Embezzlement would stunt budget implementation. This would raise questions among Ghanaians, leading to investigations and an opportunity for the opposition to run down the government.

Interestingly, Ghana is still in a bad economic shape after several promising budgets drawn up by different incumbents. Over the years, political parties have failed to efficiently and effectively implement their budget statements. The problem of budget deficit usually arises in these administrations, along with failure to implement half of what is stated in a budget. These mostly arise from cost inflation and its related embezzlement of funds allocated to specific projects.

The NPP had made so much noise about its competency when it was in opposition to the extent that incompetency, if detected, will not be mercifully tolerated among the populace who massively voted the party into power. It is not only about how effective a budget appears but how it is effected. Sacrificing personal interest for state's growth would help in realising provisions in state budget.

Long Live Ghana!
Rachael Omeife
(Department of Political Studies)
KNUST
[email protected]