In a move that has left many scratching their heads, the Minister for Finance and his Deputy Designate, Cassiel Ato Forson and Thomas Ampem Nyarko, on Saturday morning, embarked on a whirlwind tour of the Makola market in Accra, ostensibly to gather input from traders and market women for the upcoming 2025 budget.
However, with the cabinet chaired by President John Dramani Mahama only last Thursday, having already approved the proposed budget statement, many are questioning the sincerity and practical impact of Ato Forson’s populist outreach.
The Makola market, a vibrant and bustling hub of commerce, is home to thousands of traders, including the influential Ga Makola Queens.
These women, renowned for their entrepreneurial spirit and resilience, have been the backbone of Ghana’s informal economy for decades.
However, despite their significant contributions, they have often been overlooked and underserved by policymakers.
Ato Forson’s visit to the market was seen as an attempt to connect with these stakeholders and demonstrate his commitment to their concerns.
However, with the budget already approved, many are wondering what, if any, tangible impact his visit will have.
Either it was merely a photo opportunity, designed to burnish the minister’s image or to create a false narrative of engagement.
He therefore shared pictures of his engagement with the traders on his social media pages which netizens argue that his visit was too little, too late.
They point out that meaningful engagement with stakeholders requires more than just a cursory visit; it demands a genuine commitment to listening, learning, and incorporating feedback into policy decisions.
By engaging with traders after the budget has already been approved, Ato Forson has, in effect, rendered their input moot.
Others have questioned the minister’s motives, suggesting that his visit was motivated more by a desire for publicity than a genuine commitment to serving the needs of traders and market women.
They point out that Ato Forson’s predecessor, Kwadwo Baah Wiredu, a former Finance Minister under Ex-President John Agyekum Kufuor’s government, also engaged in similar outreach efforts but did so in a more meaningful and impactful way by incorporating stakeholder feedback into policy decisions.
The budget, as gathered, will be read on Tuesday, 11th March 2025.
-BY Daniel Bampoe
