Finance Minister-designate, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has expressed his commitment to steering Ghana out of its current economic challenges, including high inflation, cedi depreciation, and unemployment.
Speaking during his vetting before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday, January 13, Dr Forson pledged to leverage his extensive experience in public service and finance to bring stability and growth to the economy.
“I come to this position very well prepared. With 16 years in public service, including a stint as Deputy Minister of Finance, and experience in the private sector, I have carefully studied the trends and behaviour of Ghana’s economy. I believe I am in a better place to move our country from these uncharted waters to a stable place,” he stated.
“I will do whatever it takes to move this economy from the crisis that we are in today to where we have to be,” he added.
The Ajumako Enyan Essiam MP identified lowering inflation and ensuring food security as top priorities when he gets the nod to be the Finance Minister.
With inflation currently at 28.3%, driven largely by food inflation at 27.8%, he highlighted the need for targeted interventions in agriculture to make food more affordable and accessible.
“As Minister, I will allocate resources to support the government’s agriculture policies for economic transformation, working closely with the Minister of Agriculture to make food cheaper and protect food security,” he explained.
He also reiterated the need to reduce inflation to single digits. “We will work with the Bank of Ghana to bring inflation down to 8%, plus or minus 2, in the shortest possible time,” he assured.
Dr Forson acknowledged the difficulties posed by high unemployment and the depreciation of the cedi, outlining his determination to stabilise the currency and create jobs. He pledged to act decisively and responsibly, taking into account his past criticisms of economic mismanagement.
Dr Forson called on his colleagues and stakeholders to join him in addressing Ghana’s economic challenges, stressing that constructive criticism and collaboration would be essential in achieving the country’s economic recovery goals.
Source: myjoyonline.com