Prof Peter Quartey
PROF. PETER Quartey, Director at the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), has charged the Board of the Bank of Ghana to ensure that there is a balance when it comes to government’s source of borrowing.
A look at the Summary of Economic and Financial Data released in July by the Bank of Ghana shows that domestic debt as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) rose from about 31 percent to 39 percent within a space of 12 months, whereas external debt rose from about 35 percent to 37 percent.
In an interview, Professor Quartey also charged banks to be intentional in striking a balance when it comes to lending to government, so as not to crowd out the private sector.
“The banks certainly need to strike a good balance between lending to the private sector and lending to government. Because, when you lend to the private sector that stimulates production, employment and growth among others. On the borrowing front, instead of borrowing from the domestic front, if government borrows from international sources there are possible risks like capital flight which can have major implication on our exchange rate.”
“That calls for a good balance so that you borrow from domestic sources without crowding out the private sector. I think the new board has a good role to play in all of this,” he added.
– Citibusiness