Accra, Ghana – The Minister of Finance has unveiled the government’s financial commitments for 2025, allocating substantial funds to key policy initiatives and interventions aimed at economic growth, education, healthcare, and social protection.
Economic and Infrastructure Development
The government has earmarked a Cedi equivalent of US$279 million as a revolving fund for the Ghana Gold Board (GOLDBOD) to facilitate the purchase and export of at least three tonnes of gold per week from small-scale miners.
A significant GH¢13.85 billion has been allocated to the Big Push Programme, aimed at infrastructural development, while the Road Fund has been uncapped, providing GH¢2.81 billion solely for road maintenance—a 155.5% increase over the 2024 allocation.
The District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) will receive GH¢7.51 billion, with a proposed minimum of 80% directed to district assemblies to enhance economic growth at the local level.
Education and Social Interventions
The government has prioritized education, increasing funding for several key initiatives:
GH¢499.8 million has been allocated for the No-Academic-Fee policy under the ‘No-Fees-Stress’ initiative, benefiting all first-year students in public tertiary institutions.
GH¢3.5 billion is allocated to the Free Senior High School (SHS) programme, with an additional GH¢4.1 billion made available through the uncapping of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund). This will also fund free tertiary education for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
GH¢564.6 million has been set aside for the provision of free curricula-based textbooks, benefiting learners from kindergarten to junior high school.
GH¢1.788 billion has been allocated to the School Feeding Programme, reflecting a 33% increase in budget and a rise in feeding cost per child from GH¢1.50 to GH¢2.00.
GH¢145.5 million has been earmarked for the Capitation Grant, a 73.2% increase from 2024.
GH¢203 million and GH¢480 million have been allocated for teacher trainee and nursing trainee allowances, respectively.
Additionally, GH¢292.4 million will be used to distribute free sanitary pads to female students in primary and secondary schools.
Health and Social Protection
The National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL) has been uncapped, providing GH¢9.93 billion to support the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). These funds will cover claims payments, essential medicines, vaccines, free primary healthcare, and the Ghana Medical Care Trust (MahamaCares).
Under the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme, the number of beneficiary households will increase from 350,000 to 400,000, and allocations will rise by 30.8%, from GH¢728.8 million to GH¢953.5 million.
Disaster Relief and Special Initiatives
To address recent natural disasters:
GH¢242.5 million has been allocated to support victims of the Akosombo Dam spillage.
GH¢200 million will assist victims of the tidal wave disaster that displaced residents of Agavedzi and surrounding communities in the Ketu South constituency.
Employment and Economic Empowerment
GH¢300 million has been allocated to the National Apprenticeship Programme.
GH¢100 million will fund the ‘Adwumawura’ Programme.
GH¢100 million will support the National Coders Programme.
GH¢51.3 million has been set aside as seed funding for the Women’s Development Bank.
GH¢100 million has been allocated for the monthly allowance of Assembly Members.
The Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda (AETA) has received GH¢1.5 billion, covering initiatives such as the Feed Ghana Programme, Ghana Grains Development Project, and Vegetable Development Project.
Conclusion
The 2025 budget highlights a strong focus on education, social welfare, infrastructure, and economic transformation, with substantial funding increases across multiple sectors. The Finance Minister emphasized that these investments are crucial for sustainable development, job creation, and improving the livelihoods of Ghanaians
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Gumedzo Isaac Acheampong
