2023 budget: Govt places embargo on employment in public sector

In the 2023 budget, the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, said that there would be a freeze on hiring for the civil and public service.

He also said that in 2023, there will be no new government agencies.

He said these things on Thursday, November 23, when he talked about the budget in Parliament.

Mr. Ofori-Atta said that the government has approved a number of directives that will go into effect in January 2023 as a first step toward cutting costs.

These are: “All Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs), and State-Owned-Enterprises (SOEs) are directed to reduce fuel allocations for Political Appointees and heads of MDAs, MMDAs, and SOEs by 50%.

This rule applies to all ways of getting fuel, like coupons, electronic cards, the chit system, and fuel depots. So, 50% of the fuel budget from the previous year (2022) will be set aside for official business related to MDAs, MMDAs, and SOEs.

“A ban on using V8s, V6s, or similar cars for anything but cross-country travel. From January 2023 on, GV green plates would be put on all government vehicles; There isn’t much money in the budget for buying cars. For clarity, only locally made cars can be bought as new cars;

“Only essential official foreign travel should be allowed for the government as a whole, including SOEs. Members of the board will not be allowed to travel abroad for official business.”

The Finance Minister said, “Therefore, all government institutions should submit a travel plan for 2023 to the Chief of Staff by the middle of December. Meetings and workshops should be held as much as possible in the official environment or in government buildings.”

For the 2023 financial year, the government-funded external training and staff development activities at the Office of the President, Ministries, and SOEs must be put on hold. Reducing the money spent on appointments, such as by freezing salaries and stopping some allowances for housing, utilities, clothing, etc.;

“A freeze on new tax breaks for foreign companies and a review of tax breaks for companies in free zones, mining, oil and gas; A freeze on hiring for government and public employees, In 2023, there won’t be any new government agencies. In 2022, there won’t be any hampers.

In 2024, MDAs, MMDAs, and SOEs won’t be able to print promotional items like diaries, notepads, calendars, and other items. For the 2023 Financial Year, all projects that aren’t essential must be put on hold.”

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