Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has publicly dismissed claims that the government headed by President John Dramani Mahama has refrained from spending since taking office.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament during the Mid-Year Budget presentation, Dr. Forson presented a detailed breakdown of approximately 25 key government expenditures and investments, demonstrating active fiscal engagement.
Addressing the Parliament, Dr. Forson emphasized that contrary to perceptions, the government is indeed spending and wisely so.
“Rt. Hon Speaker, contrary to the perception that we are not spending, we are indeed spending and spending at the right places. We are making the right investments,” he stated firmly.
The Finance Minister proceeded to list significant disbursements totaling GH₵132.35 billion (One hundred and thirty-two billion, three hundred and fifty-four million, four hundred thousand Ghana cedis).
The list are as follows;
1. An amount of seven hundred million US dollars (US$700 million) as Eurobond obligations has been paid.
2. An amount of ten billion Ghana cedis (GH₵10 billion) to domestic bondholders has been paid.
3. An amount of two billion, nine hundred million Ghana cedis (GH₵2.9 billion) to the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) has been paid.
4. An amount of two billion, seven hundred million Ghana cedis (GH₵2.7 billion) to Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has been paid.
5. An amount of nine billion, one hundred million Ghana cedis (GH₵9.1 billion) to the energy sector for stable power supply has been paid.
6. An amount of five billion Ghana cedis (GH₵5 billion) of arrears has been paid.
7. An amount of four billion, six hundred million Ghana cedis (GH₵4.6 billion) to the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) has been paid.
8. An amount of one billion Ghana cedis (GH₵1 billion) to the free secondary education programme has been paid.
9. An amount of four billion, six hundred million Ghana cedis (GH₵4.6 billion) to the National Health Insurance Scheme has been paid.
10. An amount of one billion, four hundred million Ghana cedis (GH₵1.4 billion) for National Health Insurance claims has been paid.
11. An amount of two hundred and fifty-two million Ghana cedis (GH₵252 million) for vaccines and essential medicines has been paid.
12. An amount of seventy-two million, eight hundred thousand Ghana cedis (GH₵72.8 million) as Capitation Grant has been paid.
13. An amount of four hundred and seventy-seven million Ghana cedis (GH₵477 million) to LEAP beneficiaries has been paid.
14. An amount of eight hundred and ninety-five million Ghana cedis (GH₵895 million) to the School Feeding Programme has been paid.
15. An amount of one hundred and twenty-two million, eight hundred thousand Ghana cedis (GH₵122.8 million) for BECE registration has been paid.
16. An amount of three hundred million Ghana cedis (GH₵300 million) to the No Fee Stress Policy has been paid.
17. An amount of one hundred and ninety-one million, seven hundred thousand Ghana cedis (GH₵191.7 million) as Teacher Training Allowance has been paid.
18. An amount of four hundred and sixty-two million, six hundred thousand Ghana cedis (GH₵462.6 million) as Nursing Training Allowance has been paid.
19. An amount of twenty-five million Ghana cedis (GH₵25 million) as Assembly Members allowance has been paid.
20. An amount of twenty-one million Ghana cedis (GH₵21 million) for the National Apprenticeship Programme has been paid.
21. An amount of thirty-four million, five hundred thousand Ghana cedis (GH₵34.5 million) to the Adwumawura Programme has been paid.
22. An amount of about two billion Ghana cedis (GH₵2 billion) as Goods and Services to run effective and efficient Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies has been paid.
23. An amount of about two billion Ghana cedis (GH₵2 billion) to save the National Investment Bank (NIB) has been paid.
Additional Summary:
• Non-interest expenditures of eighty-four billion, two hundred million Ghana cedis (GH₵84.2 billion) have been paid.
• From January to June, a total cash amount of one hundred and fourteen billion, five hundred million Ghana cedis (GH₵114.5 billion) has been paid from the Consolidated Fund.
Source: www.Kumasimail/Kwadwo Owusu
