Civil Society Organisation BudgIT Ghana has noted with great concern the ‘FixtheCountry’ campaign by some Ghanaian youth dissatisfied with the country’s situation.
“While acknowledging the economic hardships induced by the COVID-19 pandemic, we urge government to take immediate steps to address some of the key concerns which predate the health crisis,” a statement from BudgIT said.
BudgIT noted that efforts should be geared toward broadening the tax base, ensuring compliance and plugging revenue leakages, rather than burdening the small number of existing taxpayers with new taxes.
The private sector, which is the engine of growth, still borrows at an average of 20 percent despite efforts to make interest rates more competitive. This is uncompetitive, stifles business growth and undermines private sector efforts to create employment.
Government must adopt determined efforts to overcome vested interests to help mitigate the pernicious effects of corruption, and ensure transparent and open governance processes. The perception of corruption in Ghana is eroding trust in government and undermining the social contract.
The slow pace in addressing the infrastructural needs (health, transport, housing etc.) of the citizens has undermined inclusive and sustainable growth, markets expansion, job opportunities among others.
“We laud government for acknowledging the aforementioned challenges, but urge expedited action to address the concerns.”
BudgIT Ghana further implores the aggrieved youth to explore legal avenues in channeling their grievances, but most importantly rally behind government to come out of the storm.
BudgIT is a civic organisation driven to make the Ghana budget and public data more understandable and accessible across every literacy span, with the aim of improving participatory governance.
BudgIT’s innovation within the public circle comes with a creative use of government data by presenting complicated information in interactive formats or infographic displays. Our primary goal is to use creative technology to intersect civic engagement and institutional reform.
