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2024 budget highlights
The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta yesterday presented to Parliament the 2024 budget and economic policy.
We present to you some highlights of budget indicating initiatives in selected sectors.
The Controller and Accountant
General’s Department in collaboration with NIA integrated 504,063 out of 703,665 mechanised GoG employees NIA numbers into the IPPD2 Payroll
System to prevent the recurrence of unapproved workers on government payroll.
- The Public Procurement Authority enrolled 828 public entities from MDAs and MMDAs onto the Ghana Electronic Procurement System (GHANEPS) and trained 1,060 procurement staff
to use the System to conduct procurement activities.
Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development - The Ministry under the Ghana Productive Safety Net Project (GPSNP) II supported 14,324 beneficiaries through the productive inclusion component to implement 529 sub-projects, comprising community plantations, feeder roads and small earth dams.
The project also supported 8,064 Labour Intensive Public Works (LIPW) unskilled labour beneficiaries and25,426 were provided with indirect jobs. In 2024, the Ministry will continue the implementation of GPSNP II, which will employ additional 15,046 beneficiaries under the productive inclusion component and another 34,574 unskilled labour wage earners under the LIPW component.
Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs
- The Ministry activated processes that engendered debate on the possible review of the 1992 Constitution, and inaugurated a Consultative Committee to oversee the review. The activities
included organising consultative meetings with constitutional experts, elderly statesmen, and members of the Council of State.
Ministry of Food and Agriculture
- Government undertook a comprehensive review of the first phase of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) flagship programme in April this year to anchor on successes and address the
gaps and challenges identified over the six-year period of implementation. This culminated in the introduction of PFJ 2.0, a five-year transformative initiative anchored on four main principles: private sector focused, value chain approach, market driven and inclusivity. The PFJ 2.0 is designed to accelerate Government efforts towards the modernisation and competitiveness of the food and agricultural sector. - Since the launch of PFJ 2.0, the Ministry facilitated the procurement processes for the provision of 9,827.5MT of seeds comprising 5,000MT of Maize, 450MT of rice, 300MT of sorghum, 4,071MT of soya, 1.3MT of pepper, 1.2MT of tomato and 4MT of onions seeds for distribution under the Input Credit Model.
- In addition, the Ministry facilitated the procurement of 5.5 million Day Old Chicks, 24,750MT of feed and 16.5 million doses of poultry vaccines for 16 Anchor and 500 out-grower farmers
to raise broiler chicken for local consumption during Christmas and New-Year festivities.Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources - The Ministry organised the third edition of the Green Ghana Day Initiative in June, under the theme: “Our Forests, Our Health” with 11,531,914 seedlings including forest, fruit, ornamental and multi-purpose trees distributed for planting. Out of the seedlings distributed, 7,125,955 were for planting in the forest reserves whereas 4,404,717 were for the off-reserve
landscapes.
In addition, the Ministry established a total area of 3,132ha of forest plantation under the National Afforestation Programme. In addition, 5.8 million seedlings, including
ofram, emire, wawa, kokrodua, teak, cedrela, gmelina, cassia, eucalyptus and mahogany species were supplied and planted.
- The Ministry installed 69 tracking devices to track the movement of earth moving machines and mining equipment nationwide, in compliance with the Minerals and Mining Regulations 2020 (L.I. 2404).
- The Minerals Commission procured and distributed 5,087,706 hybrid oil-palm seedlings and
1,750,000 coconut seedlings to beneficiary farmers in the Ashanti, Central and Eastern Regions under the Alternative Livelihood Project. In addition, the Commission reclaimed a
total of 462.01ha of degraded mined-out areas in the Ashanti, Central and Western North Regions. In 2024, the Commission will continue to reclaim more degraded mined-out areas.
Ministry of Trade and Industry
- Government’s flagship, One District One Factory (1D1F) Initiative, has 169 projects currently
Ministry of Trade and Industry
- Government’s flagship, One District One Factory (1D1F) Initiative, has 169 projects currently
operational increasing from 126 in 2022 resulting in 160,823 direct and indirect jobs creation. - Rana Motors commissioned a state-of-the-art assembly plant to produce KIA brand of
vehicles in Ghana. Currently, six of the major global vehicle manufacturers have assembly
plants in Ghana producing 11 brands of vehicles. - Toyota Ghana partnered the School of Engineering Sciences of the University of Ghana to
establish a modern auto engineering training centre for students and the industry to acquire
applied auto engineering training. Similarly, KIA Motor Company of Korea has also donated state-of-the-art equipment to Rana Motors’ West African Vehicle Academy which trains
students and practitioners from across the Auto Industry. - Fifty-one Ghanaian companies received AfCFTA Rules of Origin Certification for 300 products
in 2023. In addition, 63 companies were assisted to successfully undertake market
exploration missions to Kenya to engage with prospective buyers. Products initially identified
for the East African market include cosmetics, processed foods, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, coconut oil, shea butter and garments.
Ministry of Tourism
- The Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park was redeveloped, modernized, and commissioned by H.E the President in July 2023. Since opening in 1993, the Park had the highest number of
98,000 visitors in 2019, during the Year of Return. However, four months after the recent face-lift in July, the number of visitors increased to about 150,000. Revenues subsequently
increased from a paltry GHC30,000 per month to an average of GHC 1 million per month.
Ministry of Works and Housing
- The Ministry continued with the implementation of the National Flood Control Programme
across the country to improve drainage and mitigate the disaster risks associated flooding.
A total of 301 out of 312 desilting contracts, representing 96 percent, were completed while 42 out of 114 construction works, representing 37 percent, were completed.
- The Ministry commenced the implementation of the National Rental Assistance Scheme in
February 2023. The Scheme disbursed GH¢13,785,597.00 to cover the payment of rent advance for 1,105 individuals in the Greater Accra, Ashanti, Northern, Eastern, Bono East
and Western Regions. In 2024, the coverage of the Scheme will be expanded from the
current 6 to 10 Regions.
Compiled by Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Ghana’s parliament has marked the 2nd edition of May Day 2026 under the theme “ Welcome Home”.
It was special day meant to celebrate the invaluable support of the workforce, recognizing the commitment, resilience, and contributions of workers to institutional growth and national development.
Delivering the message on behalf of the Speaker, the 1st Deputy Speaker, Bernard Ahiafor, described the theme as very apt, appropriate, and timely, noting that Parliament is more than a workplace, it is a shared home.
He emphasized that we cannot speak about work without speaking about people, reminding everyone that the true measure of our work is the well-being of our people.
He urged that our traditional clothing become an integral part of our everyday clothing, and that our local languages must become integral to our daily lives, interwoven into education and practiced at home.
Referencing Standing Order 63, which captures the use of local language as optional in deliberations, he encouraged a renewed commitment to identity, saying it is significant that we “come home” and present who we are so future generations can inherit a story they can fully tell.
The Clerk, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, in his remarks commended officers for their dedication and devotion to duty, calling on them to go the extra mile and leave legacies.
Echoing the reminder that an unexamined life is not worth living, he described the event as an invitation to reconnect with our roots through cultural revival.
The Deputy Clerk, C&FMS, Dr. Gloria Sarku Kumawu, urged all not to forget their roots, the people behind the stories of ministries, industries, and the strides made both in-house and beyond.
What began last year has now become a meaningful tradition, showcasing Ghanaian heritage, fostering unity, and encouraging innovation under the principle of diversity for unity and diversity for progress, she added.
The gathering brought together leadership, public officials, and staff across all levels, along with the media, standing as a unifying platform that honored service, celebrated culture, and reaffirmed a shared commitment to national development.
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Manhyia would serve as Ghana’s unifying force …Otumfuo assures on commemoration of 27 years on the Golden Stool
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, last Friday celebrated his 27th enstoolment with a colourful and culture-rich ceremony at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, drawing a distinguished gathering of dignitaries from across Ghana and beyond.
Clad in splendid kente and adorned in rich traditional regalia, the dignitaries added colour and elegance to the occasion, as the palace grounds came alive with a vibrant display of Ghanaian culture.
Traditional drumming, dancing and symbolic rites underscored the deep-rooted heritage of the Ashanti Kingdom, captivating guests and reaffirming the value of tradition in modern society.
Speaking at a high-level Executive Gala organised by the Diaspora Affairs Office of the Office of the President in strategic partnership with the E ON 3 Group, the ‘World-Meets-in-Ghana’ gala, the Asantehene urged Ghanaians to guard against the divisive tendencies of partisan politics.
The event was to honour the Asantehene’s nearly three-decade reign under the theme ‘Advancing Peace and Sustainable Economic Development through Royal Vision’.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II noted that such attitudes threatened the country’s long-standing values of unity, civility and brotherliness.
He assured that Manhyia would continue to serve as a unifying force for the nation.
The celebration also featured the presentation of commemorative gold coins to notable national leaders, including the President, John Dramani Mahama, former Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as well as Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, a former Vice President in recognition of their contributions to peace and national development.
By Spectator Reporter
