The Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, says the New Patriotic Party (NPP) lacks new ideas to develop the country.

According to him, Ghanaians expected that the mid-year review would have abolished several taxes.

He said that the numerous taxes have made Ghana a high-tax regime, causing businesses to move out of the country.

Speaking after the presentation of the mid-year budget by the Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson said, "For example Covid-19 levy, E-levy, bola tax, tax on domestic electricity, emission levy."

• Read also: Full text: 2024 Mid-Year Budget Review

"Mr Speaker, this is a missed opportunity. Mr Speaker, instead, the minister did not announce one single new policy. The minister did not introduce new ideas. Mr Speaker, unfortunately, Ghana is on autopilot. Our economy is on autopilot.”.

Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson expressed his shock upon noticing that in Appendix 2(a) on page 107 of the minister's mid-year review and economic policy, the government had already missed its IMF program targets.

The minority leader noted that Appendix 2(a) reveals that contrary to the IMF program stipulations, which dictate that Ghana should not accumulate any arrears, the government has accumulated new arrears worth 4.5 billion Ghana cedis.

“Mr Speaker, in the original budget this government had program zero for the first half of the year, meanwhile in the midyear review appendix 2(a) provisional they have actually incurred new arrears worth 4.5 billion Cedis. Mr Speaker, we are ready to debate now.

"Mr Speaker, I am not surprised; all I want to tell them is that they are bereft of new ideas.”.