Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has challenged claims that traders are struggling to sell their goods, insisting that economic growth figures contradict assertions of weakening consumer demand.
He described reports of declining sales as propaganda, arguing that available economic indicators point to continued growth in the trade sector.
Dr Ato Forson made the remarks during an interactive engagement with students and members of the university community at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
Responding to concerns about the difficulties traders and business owners reportedly face in moving their goods, the Finance Minister urged critics to examine the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures.
He maintained that the data showed positive growth in trade and did not support claims that businesses were experiencing a general decline in sales.
Dr Ato Forson also linked improvements in consumer affordability to falling prices of goods and services, saying the development was allowing more people to purchase food and other essential commodities.
He argued that market women could attest to the changing price conditions and the improved ability of consumers to afford basic necessities.
The Finance Minister further defended the government’s approach to managing public finances, saying his priority was to direct state resources into productive sectors of the economy.
He cautioned against a return to excessive borrowing to finance government expenditure, warning that such practices could undermine the country’s economic stability.
He urged those questioning the state of the economy to assess the available growth figures, particularly those relating to trade, rather than rely on claims he considers unsupported by empirical evidence.
