An economist at the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) has urged government to ensure transparency in the disbursement of stimulus package allocated for businesses.

Prof Godfred Bokpin said government would have to be a little more transparent and ensure greater disclosure in terms of the modality for assessing the Fund.

The package comes amid concerns of the modalities to be adopted in the process to promote equity in the beneficiary chain as business suffer the consequences of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

President Akufo-Addo on April 19, announced the allocation of a ¢600 million stimulus package to small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) this month as part of efforts to deal with the effects of the Covid-19 on the business community.

Some entrepreneurs and businesses have, since the announcement of the development, been waiting for the rollout of a criteria to access the said funds with some already skeptical as to the feasibility of the initiative.

Speaking on PM Express Tuesday, Prof Bokpin told JoyNews Wednesday that, “Out of this amount, ¢600 million cedis of assistance is being provided to micro, small and medium-scale businesses. I expect disbursements of the money to start in May,” he stated.

Describing the delays in the setting up of criteria for the package as unfortunate, he also wants the process to be accelerated to ensure that the packages reach the beneficiaries as soon as possible to prevent industries from folding up completely.

“I believe that given where we find ourselves, help need s to reach the industries very quickly…Government would have to speed up,” he said.

The stimulus package forms part of the Coronavirus Alleviation Programme.