Gov’t Allocates $279M to GOLDBOD, GH¢13.85B to Infrastructure, and GH¢242.5M to Akosombo Victims

The government has unveiled a bold financial commitment in the 2025 budget, targeting key sectors to drive economic growth, infrastructure development, and social welfare.

Presenting the budget in Parliament, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson detailed major allocations that will shape the country’s future.

“Mr. Speaker, we will provide a Cedi equivalent of US$279 million as a revolving fund for the Ghana Gold Board (GOLDBOD) to purchase and export at least 3 tonnes of gold per week from small-scale miners,” Dr. Forson announced. This initiative aims to strengthen the small-scale mining sector and boost Ghana’s gold exports.

Additionally, GH¢13.85 billion has been earmarked for the Big Push Programme, a large-scale infrastructure initiative focusing on transportation, energy, and social projects to accelerate economic growth.

To support education, GH¢499.8 million has been allocated for the No-Academic-Fee policy for first-year students in public tertiary institutions under the ‘No-Fees-Stress’ initiative. This move seeks to ease financial burdens on students and their families, promoting access to higher education.

Furthermore, GH¢292.4 million has been committed to distributing free sanitary pads to female students in primary and secondary schools, a policy aimed at improving menstrual hygiene and school attendance.

In response to recent natural disasters, GH¢242.5 million has been set aside to aid victims of the Akosombo dam spillage, while GH¢200 million will be allocated to support residents affected by tidal waves in Agavedzi and surrounding areas in the Ketu South constituency.

With these bold allocations, the government aims to stimulate economic growth, enhance social welfare, and provide relief to disaster victims, ensuring a more resilient and progressive Ghana.