Parliament Slams Finance Ministry for Failing to Reveal GDP, Warns of ‘Dangerous Precedent’

A parliamentary committee in Zimbabwe has strongly criticized the Ministry of Finance for failing to disclose the country’s current Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figure, warning that such an omission sets a “dangerous precedent.” The backlash follows an appearance by ministry officials before the Parliamentary Budget and Finance Committee, during which they were unable to provide the nation’s GDP data, a critical metric used for economic planning and policy-making.

The failure to present such fundamental information has raised concerns about transparency and governance within Zimbabwe’s financial institutions. Committee members expressed their frustration, with some describing the situation as a “very bad precedent” for the country. Parliamentarians warned that the inability to disclose essential economic data undermines confidence in the government’s ability to manage the economy and threatens future investment prospects.

The committee chairperson, in a heated exchange, stressed that the GDP figure is crucial not only for understanding the country’s economic health but also for determining the budget allocations. Without it, accurate projections for the national budget, debt management, and resource distribution become impossible.

This controversy comes at a time when Zimbabwe is grappling with economic challenges, including high inflation, rising unemployment, and a weakening currency. The lack of clarity around the country’s economic data could further erode trust in the government’s ability to steer the nation out of its financial crisis.

The Ministry of Finance has yet to comment on the matter, but pressure is mounting for an explanation and a prompt release of the GDP figure to avoid further erosion of public confidence in the nation’s fiscal management.