July 23, 2019

Press Conference: IFS’ Review of the Economy ahead of the Mid-Year Budget Presentation

The Minister of Finance, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, is expected to present a Mid-Year Review Statement on the 2019 Budget to Parliament in the next few days. To provide context for public discussion of this important policy statement, the IFS has undertaken a thorough review of the economy. The review examines developments in economic growth, macroeconomic stability, fiscal policy, and the public debt since 2017. It further analyses the characteristics of the economic growth that has been experienced in the period and its implications for employment and incomes. The review further examines macroeconomic stability, fiscal policy performance and public debt and […]
August 6, 2019

IFS’ Assessment of 2019 Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review

On Monday July 29, the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, presented the mid-year review of the 2019 budget statement and fiscal policy to Parliament. Notable fiscal policy changes that were announced include energy and communication tax hikes and a request to spend more money (supplementary expenditure estimates) relative to the initial 2019 budget appropriation. Prior to the mid-year budget, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) had reviewed the economy’s performance and provided recommendations to the government to address challenges identified. In what follows, we assess the notable developments in the mid-year review and make further recommendations to safeguard fiscal stability, which […]