Government's economic management team is holding its first meeting for 2014 at the Flagstaff House Friday morning. The meeting is being chaired by Vice President Kwesi Amissah Arthur.

The meeting is bringing together Senior Presidential Advisors, Ministers of State in the economic ministries, the Governor of the Central Bank, heads of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Statistical Service as well as the Controller and Accountant General.

Joy Business has learnt the meeting is to review developments in the economy, especially the current fiscal situation, monetary, exchange rate and balance of payment developments.

The meeting is also expected to discuss the achievement of the major objectives incorporated in the 2014 budget.

The Vice President is said to be particularly concerned about the issue of job creation and reduction of the fiscal debt and will therefore direct the discussions towards specific policy interventions announced in the 2014 Budget to address these challenges.
The team is also expected to examine implementation challenges in the Single Spine Salary Scheme after the Ho Conference last year.
One major development policy in this year’s budget is the construction of 100 Senior High Schools; the meeting will discuss the financing of the schools as well as how to enhance the sustainability of the NHIS.

Other important issues on the agenda are the progress in Ghana’s preparation to access the financing under the second compact of the Millennium Challenge Account.

The Energy Minister will brief the Vice President on developments in the petroleum, especially with regard to fuel supplies and stability of power supply.

The team is expected to discuss the overall national development policy framework and receive a progress report on Public –Private Partnership for investment in the nation’s infrastructure.
The Vice President at the end of the meeting is expected to issue specific directions on policies especially regarding job creation and revenue mobilization.