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Stakeholders urge government: don’t cut funding to key sectors of economy
• The stakeholders
In spite of dwindling economic fortunes, the government has been urged not to cut expenditure on key sectors that seek to promote social and economic well-being of citizens.
Stakeholders say areas such as Education, Health, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) as well as Child and Social Protection should continue to receive adequate funding, in view of current economic hardship.
This and other recommendations were the highlights of a discussion on ‘Social Protection Financing in Ghana’ organised by SEND Ghana and its partners in Accra last Friday.
A United Nations International Children’s (UNICEF) Report presented at the forum indicated that reduction in expenditure of important sectors of the economy may adversely affect the gains made in reducing poverty and attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The report which made analysis and provided recommendations across five strategic sectors observed that budget allocation to the education sector had decreased from 15.74 per cent in 2020 to 13.11 per cent in 2022, and that 90 to 95 per cent of the allocations to the Ministry of Education went into payment of compensation of employees.
This scenario which is evident in other government Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs), according to UNICEF, would “negatively affect the delivery of social services, especially for women, children and the vulnerable.”
“Investing in children’s health, nutrition, sanitation, education and protection is important to unlock their potential and contribute positively to economic activities. The cost of inaction in these areas is enormous and cannot be overlooked,” it stated.
Stressing the need to secure social intervention policies, the report prompted the government to ensure “regular and timely” release of funds for social programmes such as the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) which had consistently experienced delay in payments.
The report established that though allocations for LEAP had seen “significant increases since 2017,” the value of the money paid to beneficiaries had reduced as a result of inflation, hence the need to adjust the payments accordingly.
In the health sector, it called for increase in total health budget as well as “investments that tackle the prevention and control of communicable diseases, neonatal health and adolescent reproductive health.”
While urging increased budget allocation to key sectors, it suggested “progressive revenue-raising policies,” to support social interventions and further proposed introduction of “a shock-responsive emergency fund to ensure that the government can respond quickly to emerging crises.”
Panelists at the forum, including Members of Parliament, Representatives of MDAs, Academia and Civil Society Organisations, maintained that government expenditure in areas such as social protection, education, health, among others, should be seen as an investment rather than waste of resources.
Mr Mawutor Ablo, Director, Ghana Productive Safety Net Project, Ministry of Gender and Social Protection (MOGSP), said equitable resource allocation to fundamental sectors of the economy would have positive impact on the citizenry and contribute to national development.
“Any money spent on the extremely poor and vulnerable is empowering them to become more productive so if we accept social protection as an investment we have to create the fiscal space for that to happen,” he noted.
Mr. Nii Lantey Vanderpuje, Member of Parliament for Odododiodo Constituency, also emphasised the need to increase funding for social protection and basic social services to help ease the economic burden on citizens.
Dr. Emmanuel Ayifah, Deputy Country Director, SEND Ghana, said the organisation would continue to engage the government and stakeholders on the issues raised which would be factored into the 2023 Budget and Economic Policy Statement of the government.
By Ernest Nutsugah
The Ghana Tourism Development Company Limited (GTD) in collaboration with the Department of Organisation and Human Resource Management, University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) has marked the 2026 World Safety Day Celebration in Accra.
The event held on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at the Cedi Conference Centre, Legon was under the theme “Good Psychosocial Working Environment: A Pathway to Thriving Workers and Strong Organizations.”
The day is observed globally to promote safe and healthy working conditions and to raise awareness about both physical and psychological risks at the workplace.
The event formed part of efforts by stakeholders to deepen national conversations on workplace safety, particularly the growing concern about psychosocial well being.
In his keynote address, the Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Abdul Rashid Hassan Pelpuo stressed that workers must not be treated as machines but as human beings with dignity, rights and families.
He explained that unsafe work environments marked by fear, harassment, intimidation and excessive pressure reduce productivity and weaken organisations.
He noted that although physical hazards such as faulty equipment and unsafe buildings remain a concern, psychological risks including excessive workload, bullying, job insecurity and toxic communication are equally dangerous and must be addressed.
According to him, psychological hazards are real, measurable and preventable, and should be treated with the same urgency as physical risks.
He maintained that safe and healthy working conditions are not a luxury but a fundamental right that supports productivity and social justice.
Dr Pelpuo further stated that the government remains committed to strengthening occupational safety and health systems, adding that worker wellbeing is a core responsibility of leadership and not a public relations issue.
He urged employers to create environments where dignity is protected, and workers are empowered to speak without fear.
The Dean of University of Ghana Business School, Prof Ernest Y Tweneboah Koduah noted that the school is committed to shaping a better world of work that is equitable, productive and sustainable.
He announced that the school has secured accreditation from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission to introduce a programme in organisational health and safety.
He explained that gaps in workplace safety in Ghana are linked to weak enforcement, underreporting and limited professional training.
He added that the new programme will equip graduates with the skills to prioritise employee wellbeing as a key organisational responsibility.
Prof Tweneboah Koduah urged organisations to assess psychosocial risks, invest in human resource capacity and create environments where workers can openly discuss mental health concerns.
He emphasised that collaboration between academia and industry is essential to addressing workplace safety challenges.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, the Registrar of the University of Ghana, Emelia Naa Kwantsua Agyei Mensah described the event as historic, noting that it is the first time the university is marking the global observance.
She explained that the focus on psychosocial wellbeing reflects current realities in the world of work.
She stated that employee health, including mental and emotional wellbeing, directly affects productivity, morale and institutional performance.
Mrs Agyei Mensah added that the university is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for staff and students, beyond minimum legal requirements.
She called on leaders to reflect on the kind of workplaces they create and to prioritise the wellbeing of employees.
CEO of the GTDC, Prof Kobby on his part noted that its participation aligns with its commitment under the Riyadh Declaration, which calls on member states to improve infrastructure and public safety, as well as enhance services, transport, connectivity and accessibility.
He indicated that the company intends to use the platform to highlight Ghana’s readiness to implement the declaration, with a strong focus on worker safety and wellbeing as a foundation for sustainable tourism development.
The event brought together policymakers, academics, industry players and students to discuss strategies for improving workplace safety and promoting healthier work environments across the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Ghana Armed Forces has confirmed that an escort convoy protecting civilians was attacked in Binduri in the Upper East Region, leaving three people dead.
In a press release issued on April 27, 2026, the military said the convoy, which was escorting about 140 civilians from Bawku to Bolgatanga, came under gunfire from unknown attackers.
It said the attackers shot at the convoy several times, killing three of the civilians being escorted and injuring one other person.
According to the statement, soldiers returned fire and were able to repel the attack. In the process, seven of the assailants were killed.
The military added that during a follow-up operation, weapons and ammunition were retrieved from a suspect who had taken refuge in a mosque.
The items included a G3 rifle, two loaded magazines, and additional rounds of ammunition.
It said ten other suspects have been arrested and are assisting with investigations.
The Ghana Armed Forces cautioned the public against engaging the military or any security agency during operations.
It extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wished the injured person a speedy recovery.
By: Jacob Aggrey
