The government has been financially irresponsible and refused to account for Covid expenditures – Bokpin

ghanawaves.comMar 10, 2023 2:55 PM

Economist and Professor of Finance at the University of Ghana, Godfred Bokpin has debunked President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo’s assertion that his government has been prudent with the country’s finances.

His comment comes after President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said in his State of the Nation Address (SoNA) on Wednesday, March 8 that his government has not been reckless in borrowing.

Although the President says questions that have been asked regarding the debt situation of the country are legitimate, he said there are projects to show for the borrowings that have been done over the period.

He said “Beyond the use of COVID funds, there are legitimate questions being asked about how the country’s debt situation got where it is. Mr Speaker, let me state emphatically that we have not been reckless in borrowing and in spending. It is worth noting that the debts we are servicing were not only contracted during the period of this administration.

“Mr Speaker, we have spent money on things that are urgent, to build roads and bridges and schools, to train our young people and equip them to face a competitive world. Considering the amount of work that still needs to be done on the state of our roads, the bridges that have to be built, considering the number of classrooms that need to be built, the furniture and equipment needs at all stages of education, considering the number of children who should be in school and are not, considering the number of towns and villages that still do not have access to potable water, I daresay no one can suggest we have over borrowed or spent recklessly.