Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, along with Deputy Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem and officials from the Ministry of Finance, engaged market women, traders, and the general public at Makola Market as part of efforts to gather input for the 2025 national budget.
The outreach, held on Saturday, March 8, 2025, aimed to incorporate the perspectives of small business owners, informal sector workers, and everyday Ghanaians into the budget-planning process.
Dr. Ato Forson reaffirmed the government’s commitment to inclusive economic policies, emphasizing that the voices of traders and market women are essential in shaping policies that directly impact their livelihoods.
“This engagement ensures that the 2025 budget reflects the realities of the ordinary Ghanaian. Traders, market women, and business owners at Makola are key players in our economy, and their insights will help us craft a budget that supports their businesses and addresses their concerns,” he stated.
During the interactive session, traders raised concerns over rising taxes, inflation, and the high cost of doing business. Many appealed for tax relief, better access to credit, and improved market infrastructure. Others urged the government to stabilize the cedi and reduce the cost of imported goods, which they said had significantly affected their profit margins.
“We are struggling with high import duties and unstable prices. If the government implements policies to reduce costs, we will be able to sell at fair prices and sustain our businesses,” said Madam Abena Mensah, a trader.
In response, Dr. Ato Forson assured traders that their concerns would be factored into the budget deliberations. He reiterated that the government is implementing measures to curb inflation, ease the tax burden on small businesses, and expand financial support for market traders.
The Finance Ministry’s engagement with traders is part of a broader consultation process ahead of the 2025 budget presentation.
By: Ekow Annan/newsalertgh.com
