The newly elected Eastern regional youth organizer of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), Haruna Apaw-Wiredu has stated that, the 2015 budget will address some major challenges facing the entire youth population in the country.
Speaking to the DAILY HERITAGE in Koforidua on Monday, Mr Apaw -Wiredu explained that government is much concerned about the problems of youth, in particular, problem of youth unemployment, therefore, government is working relentlessly to ensure that employment opportunities are provided for the youth.
He added that, programs such as the Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Agency and other youth programs would be revived and invested to create jobs for the youth.
He charged the youth to take advantage of all opportunities created by government to enable them create jobs for themselves.
According to Haruna Apaw- Wiredu, President John Dramani Mahama will fulfill all promises made in connection with youth development and job opportunities before 2016.
Finance Minister Seth Terkper will today appear before parliament to present
government�s 2015 budget statement and economic policy.
Government is expected to announce some major austerity measures for 2015 following discussions with the International Monetary Fund for a bailout.
Government has struggled to achieve most of its targets for 2014 including key macro-economic indicators like inflation and growth rate while it still battles to keep the budget deficit under
control.
Government�s biggest challenge for next year would be how to check its rising expenditure, in the face of labour agitations for higher wages, as well as calls for complete infrastructure projects.
According to the finance ministry's guidelines for preparation of the budget, government is hoping to mobilize 43 billion Ghana Cedis in revenue for next year, up from the 26 billion Ghana Cedis it hoped to get this year.
Meanwhile, information tricking -in indicates that government would be using a new accounting programme that would help seal some of the loopholes in its revenue management.
The new programme would look at how to enforce the cap on spending levels of the various ministries.
He believes these measures are geared towards transforming the economy and building a Better Ghana; hence, Ghanaians should patiently support the government.
He said the energy challenges and hardship experienced by Ghanaians this year would be experienced no more next year as it is being addressed.
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