Finance Minister, Mr. Ken Ofori Atta has said Government Funded the provision of cooked food to ¢1.83 million and 917,000 vulnerable persons within Accra & Kumasi metropolis, respectively during the COVID -19 lockdown.
He said Government Offered strategic support in income increases and life insurance over GH¢ 320 million to incentivize health workers and allied professionals and also Supported households and businesses with electricity and water subsidies over GH¢1.3 billion.
Presenting the 2021 first-quarter budget on the floor of Parliament, Mr. Ken Ofori Atta this is the compassion Ghanaians deserve, which Government promised.
The Minister said that the government moved swiftly to mitigate the threats to lives and livelihoods by Implementing the GH¢1,342million Covid-19 Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan to protect lives; Operationalizing the GH¢1.2 Billion Coronavirus Alleviation Programme (CAP) to support businesses and Launching a GH¢2 billion Guarantee Scheme to enable SMEs to borrow at a more affordable rate.
He said the Government Supported the GH¢3 billion credit and stimulus package by commercial banks in Ghana to revitalize industries, especially pharmaceutical, hospitality, services, and manufacturing sectors.
Mr. Ofori Atta said this pandemic continues to devastate countries, disrupt productivity, threaten food security, multiply job losses, and reduce incomes, particularly for the poorest, as well as the traumatic loss of lives.
He said the Ghanaian economy has also faced the health and economic consequences of this pandemic which threatens lives and livelihoods but By God’s Grace, COVID-19 has so far not been as deadly due to President’s leadership.
Source: Mybrytfmonline/Kofi Atakora
