Audio By Carbonatix
Ghanaians are holding on to their dollars after government data showed the nation’s budget deficit was wider than expected, setting the currency on track for the weakest close since June 2015.
The cedi was among the worst performers in the world this year after data showed the nation’s budget shortfall in the first 11 months of 2016 was more than 2 percentage points higher than the government’s target.
The cedi declined 0.7 percent to 4.3775 per dollar as of 11:41 a.m. in London.
Provisional data from the Bank of Ghana for the fiscal period from January through November showed a shortfall of 7 percent of gross domestic product, exceeding the target of 4.7 percent because of weak revenue collection.
Concerns over the currency, which has lost about a fourth of its value in two years, were further exacerbated by the central bank’s surprise decision to keep a key interest rate unchanged this month.
The administration under President Nana Akufo-Addo, who took office earlier this month, will present the government’s budget in March.
“People are keeping what they have, until the first budget is read,” Hamza Adam, the head of treasury at Universal Merchant Bank in Accra, said by phone.
“The central bank decided to maintain the policy rate because of inflationary pressures. Combined with the fact that people are not sure about what the budget-deficit target would be, many are just cautious.”
Latest Stories
-
Prioritise public education on legal aid to support vulnerable persons – Presbyterian University VC
11 minutes -
Kurt Okraku commiserates with Berekum Chelsea after fatal armed robbery attack
12 minutes -
78% of NDC delegates worried about jobs, but majority remain optimistic – Global InfoAnalytics poll
16 minutes -
Traceability is the new currency of global cocoa Trade
20 minutes -
Asiedu Nketia holds lead in NDC race but Ato Forson closing gap fast – Poll
33 minutes -
Collaboration across sectors key to tackling MoMo fraud — MobileMoney Ltd CEO
35 minutes -
President Mahama commends Catholic Church for role in Ghana’s development
39 minutes -
Canadian PM Carney on verge of Liberal majority gov’t as votes cast in three by-elections
41 minutes -
UK could adopt EU single market rules under new legislation
41 minutes -
Ghana Shippers’ Authority CEO to meet association of Port Transport Drivers over intended strike
42 minutes -
MTN Ashantifest musical concert lives up to bill
47 minutes -
Ninani Group launches D. A. Twum Jnr. Fellowship to address skills gap in creative industry
60 minutes -
Independent assessment by Lands and Mines Watch backs Heath Goldfields for mining operations
1 hour -
Leaders must be held accountable for their words – Lom-Nuku Ahlijah
1 hour -
Multimedia Group Limited unveils innovative programming for World Cup 2026
1 hour