Financial Expert, Dr. Seyram Kawor has urged the government to consider listing state-owned enterprises on the stock market as a way to reduce Ghana’s heavy reliance on borrowing.
Speaking on Prime News on ABC News GH, he pointed out that a significant portion of borrowed funds is channeled into state institutions that are not profitable.
“We are looking for money, and most of those we borrow goes into state institutions,” he observed, arguing that this approach is unsustainable.
He explained that listing these institutions on the Ghana Stock Exchange would allow them to generate their own revenue and become self-sufficient.
“I have always advocated, they go for bonds, and the bonds come with high interest. Why don’t we list all state institutions on the exchange market?” he proposed.
Dr. Kawor believes that this move would relieve the government of the financial burden of continuously funding underperforming enterprises.
Additionally, he criticized the poor planning of major government projects, which often results in expensive yet unfinished developments.
“We don’t do proper appraising for projects. These projects are expensive, so once they are not completed, they become a waste,” he noted. He called on successive governments to prioritize completing abandoned projects to prevent financial losses, citing the Komenda Sugar Factory and the stalled Agenda 111 initiative as examples of wasted investments.