Macroeconomic targets of 2022 Budget ‘sufficiently unambitious’ – IEA

The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) says Ghana’s macroeconomic targets in the 2022 Budget is not sufficiently ambitious, despite the many natural resources the country is endowed with.

The government is targeting a growth rate of 5.8 per cent, an end-year inflation of eight per cent and a gross international reserves of more than four months of import cover. Responding to a question from Joy Business, Director of Research at the IEA, DrJohn Kwakye, said Ghana’s present rate of economic growth indicates that it would take the country over 30 years to double its per capita income of a little above $2,100.

“I have always said when it comes to economic growth target, we are clearly unambitious. If you look at the medium term growth target of five per cent per annum, we are growing below our target. Now, Ghana is capable of growing much faster than what it is doing; It’s a matter of resources.”

To Dr Kwakye, Ghana’s growth rate target is based on historical performance, which according to him should not be so.

“It is because we base all these projections on historical performance. We look at our historical performance and the structure of our economy and say this won’t change. We can only achieve this rate of growth and estimates if we work harder,” he said.

 Dr. Kwakye explained that “now if we’re to grow at five per cent and you take out the population growth rate, you’re left with the rate at which our per capita income will increase. I have done estimates which say that it will take over 30 years to double our capita income which is roughly $2000 a year.”

“In 30 years, we will have per capita income of $4000 when some countries per capita income is over $50,000. So if you ask about this target, I’ll say they’re not substantially ambitious,” he lamented.

He further added that “we have excess capacities and resources that need to be tapped judiciously. When you tap it and waste it and give it to foreigners cheaply, you’re not going anywhere.”



SOURCE: Nii Otu Dadeban Ankrah