A two-day advocacy programme on the 2013 budget statement and the expectations for 2014 opens in Accra today. The forum is being organised by the Institute of Financial and Economic Journalists (IFEJ) with support from Star Ghana.

The forum is to afford Civil Society Organisations (CSO), stakeholders and the media an opportunity to provide input in addressing Ghana’s economic challenges, assess government's adopted approach to managing it, and offer suggestion on the way forward for the 2014 fiscal year.

The former Minister of Finance Dr. Kwesi Botchway will officially open the forum, which will take place at the British Council Hall. The theme for the forum is "Tracking the Performance of the 2013 Budget and Expectations for 2014".

Ten thematic areas which include the fiscal and current account deficits, issues pertaining to the health sector, employment generation, infrastructure developments and the role of agriculture in the socio-economic development of the country will be discussed.

Other areas are: the various projects to be undertaken under the Public Private Partnership; the current system of education; issues on sustainable energy and social protection.

In March this year, IFEJ organised a four-day advocacy programme for some Members of Parliament a week after the 2013 Budget Statement and Economic Policy was presented by the Minister of Finance, Mr. Seth Terpker, to Parliament. This was followed by a two-day forum in Kumasi for journalists and other stakeholders in the Northern sector comprising Upper East, Upper West, Northern, Brong-Ahafo and Ashanti Regions.

The event is meant to kick-start debate and discussion before the 2014 Budget Statement and collates views in order to help government come up with a meaningful budget that will be owned by all.