Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta on Wednesday predicted a return to power of the governing New Patriotic Party at the December polls to continue to implement measures for significant improvements in business regulations and growth.

“When Ghanaians give us another mandate we will ensure that Ghana goes beyond aid,” he said.

He said an NPP Government in 2021 and thereafter would also continue “digitisation to improve quality and transparency in public service delivery, expanding access to finance for Ghanaian businesses, skills training, and energy sector reform.”

Mr Ofori-Atta, presenting the Expenditure in Advance of Appropriation from January to March, 2021, to Parliament on Wednesday, said the Ministry of Finance would submit a more detailed 2021 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of Government to the august House by March 2021.

Mr Ofori-Atta’s delivery ended his last budget presentation pending the upcoming elections.

“Mr Speaker, we are confident that because of God’s guidance and support, the President’s leadership, and our performance, Ghanaians will return the NPP government to power for four more for Nana to do even more and also to continue with our economic revitalisation and transformation programme,” he told Parliament.

He gave the assurance that government would work to improve the quality of life for Ghanaians who mattered the most and who should reap the dividends.

Characteristically quoting Bible verses, the Finance Minister said: “Speaker, I feel truly blessed and have such gratitude to God for the opportunity to have been here in these past four years to work for President Akufo-Addo and to present the President’s remarkable, destiny-changing, economic regenerating, institutional renewing policies and programmes.”

“And I am thankful particularly for the help and support I have received from this august House. Together with this Parliament, the Ministry of Finance alone has passed more than 50 bills into law in the last four years. I, and all of the team at the Ministry of Finance, humbly thank you, Mr Speaker and Honourable members.”

“Let me, Mr Speaker, in the spirit of the Nkosuo and Nkabom budget, leave us with psalm 133: “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity for then the hand bestows His blessings.”