Gov’t spent GH¢8.94bn on flagship projects, Free SHS received GH¢3.6bn

The latest Auditor-General’s report on the Whole-of-Government Accounts has revealed that the government allocated a substantial GH¢8.94 billion to its flagship programs in 2024.

Among these projects, the Free Senior High School (SHS) program, along with Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), topped the list with an allocation of GH¢3.6 billion.

The report highlights various other key expenditures aimed at enhancing social welfare and economic growth. The School Feeding Programme, managed by the Ministry of Gender, was allocated GH¢1.13 billion to ensure that millions of children in public basic schools receive daily meals.

The Fertilizer Subsidy initiative under the Planting for Food and Jobs program also received GH¢917.5 million, an allocation described as part of a broader strategy to enhance food security across the country.

Other notable allocations included GH¢628.9 million directed towards the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) program, GH¢533.5 million for nursing training allowances, while the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) received GH¢438 million in transfers.

According to the report, scholarships and capitation grants for second-cycle institutions were funded with GH¢102.4 million, while the National Identification Programme received an allocation of GH¢288.6 million. Arabic instructors under educational support services were granted GH¢33.2 million.

The Food Farmer Recovery Relief Programme was allocated GH¢618 million, while subsidies for the 2018 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) accounted for GH¢196.2 million. Additionally, teacher training allowances and feeding programs received support amounting to GH¢113.4 million.

The reported revealed that Zongo Development Initiatives received GH¢7.4 million, and the One District One Factory (1D1F) initiative, including stimulus support, was allocated GH¢32.3 million.

The government also disbursed GH¢45 million through the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) to bolster microfinance activities. GH¢240 million was allocated to the Ghana CARES program, while the Student Loan Trust received a GH¢2.27 million allocation.