Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson says Ghana has moved beyond the worst of its economic crisis and is laying the groundwork for sustained growth, but he has warned that protecting the gains made so far will require continued discipline.
He said the country was moving in the right direction and that the foundation had been laid for the economy to take off, while emphasising that the next phase must be approached carefully.
“Today we have turned the tide. We are moving the right direction. And I can assure you that based on the foundation that we have laid, this country is ready to take off,” Dr Forson said.
Despite his optimism, the Finance Minister cautioned against treating the progress as a reason to relax efforts to maintain economic stability. He said the durability of the recovery would depend on preserving the conditions that had helped bring about the turnaround.
“And we will take off cautiously. Bear in mind that all the gains we have made is dependent on us maintaining the macroeconomic stability,” he said.
Dr Forson stressed that future economic progress must build on the measures already taken, rather than undermine the foundation supporting the recovery.
“And so the gains that we will build on, we should not forget the foundation that we have laid,” he added.
The Finance Minister also reminded government officials and lawmakers of the circumstances that brought them into office, saying they had been elected at a time when the country was facing a crisis.
“We were elected to come and save a country in crisis. Don’t forget that. President Mahama and his members of parliament were elected to save this country because Ghana was in a crisis. Let us not forget that,” he said.
He added that improving economic conditions did not remove the responsibility of those in leadership to deliver results that meet the expectations of the public.
“Together, we have a responsibility. A responsibility to work to the satisfaction of the people of Ghana,” Dr Forson said.
His remarks highlight the government’s stated confidence in the direction of the economy, alongside a warning that sustaining any recovery will depend on maintaining macroeconomic stability and remaining focused on the needs of Ghanaians.
