Finance Minister hits ground running …sets over GH¢200bn target

Published

2 months ago

January 24, 2025

Forson (middle) in a chat with Mr Kwasi Agyei (left). With them is Mr Fiifi Kwetey

The Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has assured that revenue generation will remain one of his priorities as the Minister of Finance.

“Revenue and not debt will be my focus as we work to develop the economy,” he stated on his first day at work in Accra yesterday during a visit to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

GRA is the first organisation to be visited by the Minister when he was sworn in as the Minister of Finance by the President John Dramani Mahama on Wednesday.

Before, the GRA visit, the Minister of Finance met and interacted with the management and staff of the Ministry of Finance.

He was joined by the General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress, Fiifi Kwetey and other senior management staff of the Ministry of Finance.

Dr Forson urged GRA to work hard to achieve the revenue target for the country.

To this end, he said the Authority should develop measures to achieve the revenue target for the year.

He said high revenue would be crucial in meeting the mandate given the new government, and urged the Authority to raise more than GHC¢200 billion this year.

The Finance Minister entreated GRA to develop their revenue proposals to help in the preparation of the 2025 budget.

At the Comptroller and Accountant General’s Department, he urged the Department to ensure transparency and quality in government expenditure.

He said the Department must not focus only on big ticket expenditure but the smaller ones too, and queried “Why should WAEC complain before exams grants are paid.”

Mr Kwetey for his part urged the GRA to work hard to bring in more revenue to the state.

He said considering the challenges the economy was going through, there was the need for more revenue to meet government expenditure.

“We need to improve revenue to bring the economy back to the path of growth,” he stated.

The Acting Commissioner General of GRA, Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, in his remarks pledged that the GRA would work to generate more revenue for the country.

Growing revenue, he said, would be his focus as GRA Boss and to meet the mandate given by President John Dramani Mahama.

Mr Sarpong urged the staff and management of GRA to work to achieve the revenue objectives of the government.

He congratulated Dr Forson on his appointment as the Minister of Finance.

The Comptroller and Accountant General, Mr Kwasi Agyei, for his part said his outfit would work hard to improve quality of government expenditure.

That, he said, would build public confidence in the expenditure of good public financial management system.

He congratulated the Minister on his appointment as the Minister of Finance.

Declaration of Monday, 31st March 2025 and Tuesday, 1st April 2025 as Public Holidays

Published

2 hours ago

March 24, 2025

Net News Ghana

The Ministry of Interior has declared Monday, March 31, 2025 and Tuesday, April 1, 2025 as Public Holidays

“The general public is hereby informed that Sunday, 30th March, 2025 or Monday, 31st March, 2025 marks Eid-Ul-Fitr which is a Statutory Public Holiday,” the ministry noted in a press statement

According to the ministry “In view of the fact that 30th March 2025 falls on a Sunday and in the interest of the public, His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Ghana, has by Executive Instrument (E.I.), in accordance with Section 2 of the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days Act (Act 601) declared Monday, 31st March 2025 and Tuesday, 1^{^st} April 2025 as additional Public Holidays and should be observed as such throughout the country.”

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Strengthen Anti-Money Laundering Laws in Ghana – Interior Minister

Published

2 hours ago

March 24, 2025

Net News Ghana

Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has called for strengthened anti-money laundering laws in Ghana, urging the Inter Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) and the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) to collaborate in this effort.

During a meeting with a GIABA delegation led by Director-General Edwin Harris, Muntaka Mubarak emphasised the Government’s commitment to supporting GIABA’S work in maintaining a safe and secure environment.

The Director-General of GIABA, Mr. Edwin Harris acknowledged Ghana’s active participation in GIABA operations and encouraged continued collaboration.

Mr. Harris stated that Ghana has made significant progress in strengthening its anti-money laundering laws, with the passage of the Anti-Money Laundering Act 2020 (Act 1044).

The meeting had in attendance the Deputy Minister for the Interior, Okletey Teilarbi, the Acting Chief Director of the Ministry, Mrs. Doreen Annan, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of FIC, Albert Kwadwo Twum Boafo and other officials from the Ministry, GIABA and FIC.

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Interior Minister reaffirms commitment to Enhancing Ghana’s Security Architecture

Published

2 hours ago

March 24, 2025

Net News Ghana

Minister of the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak has acknowledged the critical role the Police Service plays in maintaining peace and stability and reaffirmed Government’s commitment to enhancing Ghana’s security architecture.

Speaking at the Ghana Police Service Regional Commanders’ meeting, the Minister assured international partners, businesses, and investors, that Government remains committed to providing a secure environment, and ensuring necessary security measures are in place to facilitate uninterrupted business operations.

Muntaka Mubarak commended the Inspector General of the Police (IGP), Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno for initiating an orientation for Regional and Unit Police Public Relations Officers.

According to him, the programme aimed to enhance community engagement, share crucial information, and foster trust between the police and the public.

In his remarks, the IGP, Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno stated that the meeting provided an opportunity for them to reflect and strategize for the year ahead.

Mr. Yohuno also advised the officers to uphold the highest professional standards, emphasising the need for discipline and ethical conduct in discharging their duties.