
Audio By Carbonatix
The Bank of Ghana has denied claims by international ratings agency, Fitch, that the central bank has printed fresh currencies to fund government's budget deficit.
According to Ghana's central bank, the last request it made for printing of more Ghana cedi for circulation was in the first half of 2013, adding that the notes came later that same year.
Fitch's latest report on Ghana, released earlier this week, said the central bank was threatening further inflation and depreciation of the cedi by printing money to help finance the government’s budget deficit, which currently stands at a little over 2.1 percent.
But that central bank says Fitch's assertions are not accurate.
However, the Bank of Ghana has admitted lending to government beyond the required limits, as stated in the report by Fitch.
Fitch has said the central bank's lending to government beyond a 10 percent requirement of the total tax collected for the previous year was bad for the already troubled economy.
According to the ratings agency, the central bank's decision to exceed the lending limit is the reason for the current budget deficit.
The agency was worried that this could spell further doom for inflation and cedi depreciation figures.
But a source close to Bank of Ghana told Joy Business the debts would be paid back when funds from the cocoa syndication loan and Eurobond hits Bank of Ghana's account.
Meanwhile, Vice-President, Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur, has said that data available to government do not lend credence to observations by Fitch that the country's economy is dehydrated.
Latest Stories
-
Omanhene Kwabena Asante accuses GIADEC CEO of discrimination in mining concessions
37 minutes -
Majority of Ghanaian importers lack awareness of cargo insurance – Gyampo
43 minutes -
GJA Ashanti applauds Asantehene for securing land for new press centre
47 minutes -
Ghana to benefit from France’s National health platform following Paris talks
1 hour -
Due process must prevail in Ofori-Atta’s immigration and extradition cases – Lawyer
1 hour -
Oil palm fund will create coherent ecosystem, boost supply—DBG CEO
1 hour -
Police arrest man for illegal drug peddling at Pankrono
1 hour -
Industry collaboration key to solving skills mismatch – NYA CEO Osman Ayariga
1 hour -
Ghana, Egypt deepen security ties following high-level meeting
1 hour -
Every neurodivergent child deserves to thrive – AWARE 2026 walk set for North Legon
2 hours -
Ghana-Russia Centre, ATF donate to Princess Marie Louise Children’s Hospital
2 hours -
NPP increases polling station coverage per election committee from 10 to 25
2 hours -
Ghana card cannot be used for financial transactions – NIA debunks false reports
2 hours -
Successful conviction secured for illegal fish processing operation in Watford
2 hours -
Bowen: Ceasefire means respite for civilians, but it might not last long
2 hours