Audio By Carbonatix
Funds meant for the repayment of loans contracted by the country would soon be channelled into a separate account to be opened by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning.The initiative is to help ensure transparency in the repayment of the loans while giving international financial institutions an opportunity to track the country's finances.
The Minister of Finance, Mr Seth Terkper, announced this at the maiden edition of The Forum, a new initiative by Channel 2 Communications to give policy makers a platform to discuss issues of concern to the country.
The programme was sponsored by Fidelity Bank Ghana and the Svani Group.
Speaking on the country's deficit position, Mr Terkper said the government was aware of the deficit levels resulting from the huge loans contracted.
However, he said loans and their impact on the country's deficit level should not be looked at in the negative perspective, given that majority of those loans have been used judiciously.
"I am aware of the headlines that the national debt is so much but the investment we do and the type of loans we take must be considered when talking about public debt."
"If you look at recent borrowing that we have done, we borrowed for the Bui Dam, roads, gas processing plant, among others. There are tangible things we are borrowing to do and I think the important thing is what we borrow for and what projects we undertake," Mr Terkper, who was the guest speaker at the event said.
Beyond the productive nature of these loans, the minister said the government was also committed to refinancing them as announced in the 2014 Budget and Economic Policy Statement of the government.
"We will set up an account for the repayment so that the international financial institutions will see things for themselves. That way, we will classify the public debt in two for the total public debt and the one the taxpayer has to pay and the ones projects are going to pay," he added.
He, thus assured the citizens of a bright future, adding that "we shouldn't be frustrated by some of the negative headlines about our public debt."
Latest Stories
-
GoldBod has not made GH₵1.7bn loss – Prof Ebo Turkson
8 minutes -
Legal vacation trials involving politicians raise fair play concerns – Baffour Awuah
9 minutes -
‘It should have been negotiated’ – Dafeamekpor on lawyers’ dispute with CJ over vacation hearings
24 minutes -
Ablakwa announces special bonus for passport staff after GSS ranks service among least corrupt institutions
33 minutes -
Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel will deepen community engagement as it marks 15 years – General Manager
1 hour -
Mad rush for GH¢15 KFC deal as massive queues hit branches nationwide
1 hour -
Firefighters contain raging fire at Labadi Wireless
1 hour -
Photos: Police engage religious leaders at National Police Headquarters
1 hour -
Gov’t invests GH¢443m in Free Primary Health Care – Dr Asare Bampoe
2 hours -
ECG announces power outages in parts of Accra West and Central regions
2 hours -
Otumfuo calls for urgent action to end maternal deaths in Ghana
2 hours -
Prioritise Bawumia’s interest and vote on merit – NPP elder urges delegates
3 hours -
Jason Arday death ‘tragedy on so many levels’ says PM
3 hours -
Rotary Club donates phototherapy machine to Ussher Hospital
4 hours -
Analysis: Jason Arday’s death will send shockwaves through a divided academia
4 hours