QUESTION Recently at a press conference, Network of Critical Governance (NOG), a colleil society organisation (CSOs) in governance and accountability, las described the fiscal condition of the country as abysmal and cautioned that if came is not taken the country into a bottomless pr. However, NCG did not provide any evidence to support the cas and profiction. They only directed the press and the public to go and fetch the fiscal data year and find out for themselves After the press conferences, a leading Media House in the country has deranloaded the fiscal data of the year 2020 from the website of government and posted it on the social media for everyone to see. The data posted which is verified to be true, is as follow GH Direct taxes 35.000 Indirect taxes Other revenues Compensation for employees 61.000 Goods and Services 12.000 Interest Expense 2.000 Capital expenditure Other expenditures 34.000 Domestic debe External Debt 1.000 Grossmestic Product 372.000 The Minister of Finance, however, insists that the NCG does not know what they are about and that they are politically motivated. He concludes that the fiscals of the country cost and unprecedent in the history of Ghana despite the COVID-19 disruptions. He advises the public to ignore the noises of the collati. The Minister further explains that the government is considering helishing the bodecting practice so as not to put too much information in the public domain about the focal plans of government. He is optimistic that Cabinet will give approval to the proposal and the noses will stop. He added that abolishment of budget propuration will do mere good to the country than harm Another concem of NCG is how government is going about the procurement of COVID-19 Vaccine for the entire population. It controls that goverment should use the imati competitive tendering method of procurement in order to ensure value for money. Again, the Minister debunked the view indicating that the country will proceed with the single source procurement method in order to save lives. The most important thing is the vaccinese the Kotoka International Airport", he added. NOG also raisesses about the poros public financial management system (PPM) of the country, expressing that the country needs a robust PFM to achieve its des clopment has cited the Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) report to make the case that Ghana is performing poorly in PFM. It observes that all the seven pillars of FM a very weak and porous and government must do the necesary investments to improve the system The Minister agrees with the NCG and indicates that government welcomes proposals asse how the PFM system can be improved to deliver the intended outcomes. The Minister decises that the government is proposing to establish a fund purposely for improving the PFM. The PFM Fun, when established will bring total transformation to the PFM in Ghana Required: a) Based on the computation of relevant fiscal indicates in accordance with the Public Required: a) Based on the computation of relevant fiscal indicators in accordance with the Public Financial Management Act 2016 (Act 921), discuss the fiscal performance of the country and indicate (with reason) whether you agree with the assessment of NCG. (10 marks) b) Based on your computations of fiscal indicators in question (a) above, suggest three (3) fiscal policies to government to improve the situation (6 marks) c) Discuss the merits of the proposal of the Minister of Finance to abolish national budgeting, and clearly indicate your position on the acceptability and feasibility of the proposal (4 marks) d) Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the proposal of NCG to use international competitive tendering method to procure the COVID-19 Vaccine for the entire population and make an informed judgement on the use of the proposed method. (5 marks) e) Examine the merits of the proposal of the Minister of Finance to establish a PFM Fund for the improvement of PFM system in Ghana and suggest three areas that the monies accruing to the fund should be applied. (5 marks) (Total = 30 marks)