Freezes And Bans Gov’t Is Introducing In 2023

The Akufo-Addo-led government has announced a list of freezes and bans as a way to expenditure rationalisation.

In all, the government announced thirteen (13) such measures in the 2023 Budget Statement and Economic Policy.

According to Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta, the measures are directives of the Cabinet and take effect immediately in January 2023.

The Measures Include:

1. 50% reduction of fuel allocation to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs); Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs); and State-Owned-Enterprises (SOEs).
2. A ban on the use of V8s/V6s or its equivalent except for cross-country travel. All government vehicles would be registered with GV green number plates from January 2023;
3. Limited budgetary allocation for the purchase of vehicles; the vehicles will not be imported.
4. Ban non-essential travel across government including SOEs.
5. As far as possible, meetings and workshops should be done within the official environment or government facilities.
6. Suspension of Government sponsored external training and Staff Development activities at the Office of the President, Ministries and SOEs.
7. Reduction of expenditure on appointments including salary freezes together with suspension of certain allowances like housing, utilities and clothing, etc.;
8. A freeze on new tax waivers for foreign companies and review of tax exemptions for the free zone, mining, oil and gas companies.
9. Hiring freeze for civil and public servants
10. No new government agencies shall be established in 2023.
11. No hampers for 2022
12. There shall be no printing of diaries, notepads, calendars and other promotional merchandise by MDAs, MMDAs and SOEs for 2024.
13. Suspension of all non-critical projects for the 2023 Financial year.

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini