Audio By Carbonatix
Ghana cut its economic growth forecast for 2016 to less than last year’s level, which was the lowest in more than two decades, as the country reduced its targets for oil and gold production.
West Africa’s largest economy after Nigeria will likely grow 3.2 percent this year after expanding 3.9 percent in 2015, the slowest in more than two decades, Finance Minister Seth Terkper said in a statement on the ministry’s website. The ministry previously estimated a 5.4 percent expansion in 2016.
The change in the growth outlook for the year follows a “revision of gold production forecasts for 2016-18 and the shutdown of the FPSO Kwame Nkrumah” oil production vessel on the Jubilee oil field, Terkper said in the statement.
Ghana also revised its fiscal deficit target for 2016 to 5 percent of GDP from 5.3 percent, according to the ministry’s statement that will serve as guideline for the preparation of the medium-term budget. The fiscal deficit may improve to 3.6 percent of GDP in 2017, 3 percent in 2018 and 2.3 percent in 2019, the finance ministry said.
The nation forecasts total income of 56.7 billion cedis ($14.4 billion) in 2016, 60.1 billion cedis in 2018 and 67.3 billion cedis in 2019, the ministry said in the statement.
Latest Stories
-
GES must go beyond disclaimer and prosecute fake prospectus vendor – PTA Council
1 minute -
Your sacrifices will not be forgotten – John Boadu assures Wontumi
7 minutes -
Police arrest two, seize 692 parcels of suspected Indian hemp at Dawhenya
14 minutes -
Salem Mustapha withdraws from NPP national organiser race
17 minutes -
Gender Ministry takes social protection dialogue to Chorkor, Mamprobi
21 minutes -
Republic Bank, Drive EV GH, VSA, Akwaaba Building Materials, others to showcase home solutions at Habitat Fair
24 minutes -
Cardiologist warns men with hypertension against stopping medication over erectile dysfunction fears
37 minutes -
14 JoyJeff Academy girls reportedly listed as males in CSSPS records
42 minutes -
Cardiologist warns uncontrolled hypertension is killing more Ghanaians below 50
47 minutes -
GPRTU and GRTCC suspend planned fare increase pending further consultations
52 minutes -
Wontumi’s endorsement a major vote of confidence in my leadership – John Boadu
52 minutes -
Ghana Sports Fund pledges inclusive facilities, support for young talents
56 minutes -
UK summons air traffic boss after major outage as flights slowly resume
1 hour -
Ghana Sports Fund plans pension scheme for retired athletes
1 hour -
Cyril Hadzi announces new record after growing worship music catalogue
1 hour