Finance Minister announces 19 initiatives costing GH¢43.3 billion to implement

The Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has detailed a number of initiatives that the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) will roll out as part of efforts to provide relief to Ghanaians across all sectors of the economy.

The ¢43.3bn allocation to various sectors of the economy will focus on education, infrastructure, social protection, and disaster relief.

Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson announced this on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, when he presented the budget before Parliament.

The 19 announced initiatives cost GH¢43.3 billion (approximately US$2.79 billion) based on the current exchange rate of GHC15.50 to 1 US dollar (March 11).

Below are the 19 initiatives and the cost involved

1. Big Push Programme: GH¢13.85 billion (US$892.9 million)
2. No-Academic-Fee Policy for First-Year Students in Public Tertiary Institutions: GH¢499.8 million (US$32.2 million)
3. Distribution of Free Sanitary Pads to Female Students: GH¢292.4 million (US$18.9 million)
4. Support for Victims of the Akosombo Dam Spillage: GH¢242.5 million (US$15.65 million)
5. Support for Victims of the Tidal Wave Disaster in Ketu South: GH¢200 million (US$12.9 million)
6. Free Secondary Education Programme: GH¢3.5 billion (US$225.8 million)
7. Comprehensive Provision of Free Curricula-Based Textbooks: GH¢564.6 million (US$36.4 million)
8. School Feeding Programme: GH¢1.788 billion (US$115.7 million)
9. Capitation Grant: GH¢145.5 million (US$9.4 million)
10. Teacher Trainee Allowances: GH¢203 million (US$13.1 million)
11. Nursing Trainee Allowances: GH¢480 million (US$30.9 million)
12. National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS): GH¢9.93 billion (US$640.6 million)
13. Ghana Road Fund: GH¢2.81 billion (US$181.3 million)
14. District Assembly Common Fund (DACF): GH¢7.51 billion (US$484.5 million)
15. Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda (AETA): GH¢1.5 billion (US$96.8 million)
16. Seed Fund for the Establishment of the Women’s Development Bank: GH¢51.3 million (US$3.3 million)
17. National Apprenticeship Programme: GH¢300 million (US$19.4 million)
18. ‘Adwumawura’ Programme: GH¢100 million (US$6.5 million)
19. National Coders Programme: GH¢100 million (US$6.5 million)

By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana