Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has taken steps to directly engage ordinary Ghanaians, particularly traders and informal workers, on their expectations from the government ahead of the 2025 budget presentation on Tuesday, March 11.
On March 7, Dr. Forson visited the bustling Makola Market in Accra, where he interacted with market women, head porters (kayayei), and traders.
Many of them expressed concerns over the rising cost of doing business, high taxes, and the volatility of the cedi, all of which they say have adversely affected their livelihoods.
The Finance Minister later took to social media to share his experience, writing:
“Friends,
We just concluded an insightful engagement with market women, kayayei, and others at Makola Market. It was a privilege to interact with these hardworking Ghanaians who break their backs daily to support our economy.
Their expectations ahead of #Budget2025 on Tuesday, March 11th will help shape our shared future.
#Budget2025 #TogetherWeGrow #ResettingGhana”
However, the initiative has not been without criticism. Some members of the opposition have questioned the timing of Dr. Forson’s engagement, arguing that the budget he is set to present has already been finalized and approved by Cabinet.
Krobea Kwabena Asante, an aide to former Vice President and 2024 NPP flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, expressed skepticism over the effectiveness of the exercise.
“Good Hon. Ato Forson is replicating what Hon. Baah Wiredu did as Finance Minister under President Kufuor; however, the latter did such engagements weeks before the approval of the financial statements or major decisions by Cabinet for onward reading in Parliament,” Asante remarked.
“Cabinet on Thursday approved the proposed budget statement for reading on March 11, so how is his engagement with traders today going to address their concerns as he puts it? He should have done this before Cabinet’s approval. Unless he just wanted to preempt traders on what to expect. W’atutu aboa ho ɛde bɛkyerɛ yɛn sɛ aboa bɛn nie.”
Analysts are looking out for the government’s pledge to remove some taxes and the efforts it has put in place to stabilise the economy since coming into office on January 7.
