By Buertey Francis BORYOR
Minister of Finance Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has announced that government has set aside GH¢499.8million to fund the No-Academic-Fee policy for all first-year students in public tertiary institutions under the No-Fees-Stress initiative.
While reading the 2025 budget in parliament, he said this measure aims to lessen the financial pressure on students as they start their higher education journey.
He added that GH¢292.4million will be used to begin distributing free sanitary pads to female students in primary and secondary schools. He also mentioned that GH¢242.5million is earmarked to support victims of the recent Akosombo Dam spillage, while GH¢200million is planned to assist those displaced by a tidal wave in Agavedzi and nearby communities in the Ketu South constituency.
Addressing concerns over the quality of free secondary education, the minister explained that government will uncap the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund). This change, according to him, is expected to bring in an extra GH¢4.1billion for the free secondary education programme which has a current budget of GH¢3.5billion. The move also aims to fully fund free tertiary education for persons with disabilities.
Moreover, he said the education sector will see further support with an allocation of GH¢564.6million for the distribution of free textbooks.
“This funding will provide multiple sets of curriculum-based books for kindergarten, primary and junior high school students,” he added.
The School Feeding Programme also received a boost, with its budget rising from GH¢1.344billion to GH¢1.788billion – a 33 percent increase that will raise the feeding cost per child from GH¢1.50 to GH¢2.00.
“Other educational benefits include a GH¢145.5million allocation for the Capitation Grant, which marks a 73.2 percent increase from last year, as well as GH¢203million for teacher trainee allowances and GH¢480million for nursing trainee allowances,” he said.
In the health sector, the minister revealed that government has uncapped the National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL) and a total of GH¢9.93billion has been programmed for the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
“This funding is intended for claim payments, essential medicines, vaccines, free primary healthcare, the Ghana Medical (MahamaCares) programme and to help bridge the financing shortfall following a reduction in USAID support,” he said.
