A Deputy Communications Director of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) Kamal Deen Abdulai says, retirees in government and state own enterprises must leave to be replaced.
According to him, government freeze on employment means an acknowledgement of the difficult times the country finds itself in and as such the tough measure needed.
The government in the 2023 budget presentation in parliament yesterday announced a moratorium on new employment into state agencies and department as a measure to curb rising expenditure.
Speaking on the Big Issue with Roland Walker on TV3 Friday November 25 while discussing the budget presentation, he said regarding the embargo placed on employment into the public and civil service that it means “those who have reached retirement age must go for them to be replaced.”
He added “drastic measures needed to be introduced, times are are hard, we have had the president acknowledging that fact, Finance Minister acknowledging, Vice President acknowledging that we are not in normal times.”
The Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Atta announced in the 2023 budget a freeze on employment into the civil and public service.
He also said there shall be no new government agencies established in 2023.
He said these while presenting the budget in Parliament on Thursday November 23.
Mr Ofori-Atta said as a first step toward expenditure rationalisation, government has approved a number of directives which takes effect from January, 2023.
These are “All Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) and State-Owned-Enterprises (SOEs) are directed to reduce fuel allocations to Political Appointees and heads of MDAs, MMDAs and SOEs by 50%. This directive applies to all methods of fuel allocation including coupons, electronic cards, chit system, and fuel depots. Accordingly, 50% of the previous years (2022) budget allocation for fuel shall be earmarked for official business pertaining to MDAs, MMDAs and SOEs;
“A ban on the use of V8s/V6s or its equivalent except for cross country travel.
All government vehicles would be registered with GV green number plates from January 2023; Limited budgetary allocation for the purchase of vehicles. For the avoidance of doubt, purchase of new vehicles shall be restricted to locally assembled vehicles;
“Only essential official foreign travel across government including SOEs shall be allowed. No official foreign travel shall be allowed for board members.”
Source: theGhanaianvoice.com
