MINISTER of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Ato Baah Forson has dismissed claims by the opposition that Ghana’s recent economic gains are the result of government holding back spending.
Presenting the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review on behave of the Predident, in Parliament on Thursday, Dr. Ato Forson revealed that the government had spent a total of GHS114 billion within the first half of the year.
He said that the spending cuts narrative was “palpably false” and went on to outline how government resources had been allocated to key sectors including debt servicing, education, energy, health, and social protection.
Key expenditures include:
– US$700 million to defray Eurobond debt
– GHS10 billion paid to domestic bondholders
– GHS9.1 billion to the energy sector for stable power supply
– GHS5 billion in arrears payments
– GHS2.9 billion to the District Assemblies Common Fund
– GHS2.9 billion to the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund)
– GHS1 billion to support Free SHS
– *GHS2.7 billion* to the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS)
– GHS1.4 billion to NHIS claims
GHS252 million for vaccines and essential medicines
– GHS895 million for the School Feeding Programme
– GHS122.8 million for BECE registration
– GHS52 million and GHS369.9 million for teacher and nursing training allowances respectively
– GHS477 million to LEAP beneficiaries
– GHS300 million to the No Fee Stress Policy
– GHS21 million for the National Apprenticeship Programme
– GHS34.5 million to the Adwumawura Programme
– GHS2 billion for running government machinery
– GHS2 billion to save the National Investment Bank (NIB).
Dr. Ato Baah Forson indicated the figures show clearly that government is actively investing in public services and infrastructure, not withholding funds. “These are not signs of austerity. They are proof of responsible governance and strategic spending,” he said.
He urged Ghanaians to remain hopeful, assuring that the economic recovery process was on track and guided by fiscal discipline and pro-poor investments.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
