An economist, Kwamena Essilfie Adjei has lauded government’s efforts at ensuring a stable and resilient economy. According to him, the government is on track in meeting some of its macro economic targets for the year. “In terms of national inflation, yes, it’s come down somewhat. For the last three months, it’s hovered around 20 per cent. In terms of the rate of the depreciation of the cedi, yes, it’s slowed down considerably since the beginning of the year,” he told Joy News’ Evans Mensah. He was commenting on the Supplementary Budget presented on the floor of parliament on Tuesday by Finance and Economic Planning Minister Dr. Kwabena Duffuor. The Finance Minister said the austerity measures adopted by the government in the beginning of the year are beginning to yield fruits. Whilst agreeing in part with the Finance Minister, Mr Essilfie hinted government’s gains risk being eroded if and when payments of arrears and other government expenditure are made. Ex-Deputy Finance Minister under the NPP administration, Anthony Akoto Osei chided government for what he says is a policy to deliberately hold back on expenditure such salaries, and arrears of workers in order to present a favorable economic statistics. Dr Duffuor marveled over what he said was a successful reduction in the country’s deficit which is 4.5 per cent of the country’s GDP but Mr. Osei retorted: “If you are not paying your bills…they say ministers have not been paid, then what is the essence of having a nice budget deficit. Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline/Ghana