Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo-Maafo, has described the 100 billion Ghana Cares Obaantanpa Program as a Ghana Beyond Aid in Action initiative which is part of government’s efforts to revive the country’s economy grounded by the pandemic.
Speaking at the launch of the ‘CARES’ program, on behalf of President Akufo-Addo, he noted that, government expects growth to rebound strongly in 2021 at 5.7 percent as a result of the implementation of the transformation and revitalization phase of the programme.
“The pandemic creates an opportunity for us to remodel the wealthy, inclusive, sustainable and empowered and resilient Ghana, a wiser Ghana, which is the goal of Ghana Beyond Aid, a Ghana that is able to stand on its own feet. A Ghana that is beyond the dependence of the charity of others to cater for issues of its people.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has sharply reminded us of all the wisdom of this course of Ghana Beyond Aid. The 100 billion Ghana Cares Obaantanpa Program is Ghana Beyond Aid in Action, and we expect growth to rebound strongly in 2021 at 5.7% as a result of the implementation of the transformation and revitalization of the phase of Ghana Cares Obaatanpa Program in 2020”.
Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, on his part called for the full engagement of private sector partners (international and domestic) to fully implement this programme.
“The timing of implementation during the pandemic continues to perplex many. However, we know our God will give us success as in the times of Nehemiah and has done for us since we came into government in 2017 to fully implement this program. We will also need the full engagement of our private sector partners international and domestic. We’ve already signaled that 70% of the financing will be sought from the private sector. Government will do its utmost to create a conducive business arrangement for them to invest, create jobs and thrive”.
The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, in July, when he delivered the 2020 Mid-year budget statement to Parliament revealed that the initiative, which has been named the ‘Obaatanpa Programme’, is aimed at transforming the economy from its currents state and also cushion all sectors that have been hardly hit by the Coronavirus Pandemic.
“Mr. Speaker, we wish to take this opportunity to announce to the people of Ghana that their President and his team have done a lot of thinking since March. We have brainstormed over the crisis with the view of using the challenges it presents rather as an opportunity to transform Ghana and for all Ghanaians. I am happy to announce that in the coming weeks the President will launch a GH¢100 billion development programme. An ambitious and unprecedented three and half year’s programme called: Ghana CARES, “Obaatan Pa” which will anchor the comprehensive transformation of our society”.
He also requested supplementary funding to support our priorities of saving lives and livelihoods, supporting businesses to ensure that the health of Ghanaians and their jobs are secure in these challenging times.
Additionally, he noted “the predicted long-lasting effect of this pandemic, amidst systemic shifts and uncertainties, suggest 2020 and beyond will be very challenging. Ghana will therefore need a continuity of courageous, compassionate and competent Government with a well-crafted programme to protect the lives of Ghanaians, safeguard jobs and support businesses to sustain operations during this period and especially in the four years ahead. This can only be possible with competent managers of the economy at the helm”.
