The Government of Ghana spent a total of GH¢8.94 billion on its flagship programmes in 2024, according to the latest Auditor-General’s report on the Whole-of-Government Accounts.

The Free Senior High School (SHS) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiative received the largest share, with a combined allocation of GH¢3.6 billion.

The School Feeding Programme, overseen by the Ministry of Gender, saw an expenditure of GH¢1.13 billion, aimed at providing daily meals to millions of basic school pupils across the country.

Under the Planting for Food and Jobs initiative, GH¢917.5 million was spent on the Fertiliser Subsidy Programme to enhance agricultural productivity and improve food security.

Other significant allocations included:

GH¢628.9 million for the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme

GH¢533.5 million for nursing training allowances

GH¢438 million in transfers to the Youth Employment Agency

GH¢618 million for the Food Farmer Recovery Relief Programme

GH¢196.2 million for subsidies on the 2018 BECE and WASSCE examinations

GH¢113.4 million for teacher training allowances and feeding

GH¢102.4 million for scholarships and capitation grants for second-cycle schools

Additionally, the National Identification Programme received GH¢288.6 million, while GH¢33.2 million was allocated to support Arabic instructors under education services.

Zongo Development Initiatives were financed with GH¢7.4 million, and the One District One Factory (1D1F) programme—including stimulus packages—was allocated GH¢32.3 million.

Other disbursements included GH¢45 million through MASLOC to support microfinance activities, GH¢240 million for the Ghana CARES programme, and GH¢2.27 million to the Student Loan Trust.

While these investments underscore the government’s commitment to social and economic development, policy analysts continue to raise questions regarding efficiency, value for money, and the need for enhanced transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.

The Youth Development and Empowerment Minister, George Opare Addo, has revealed that the government is actively negotiating with international educational institutions to settle an accumulated scholarship debt exceeding ¢700 million.

Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on Tuesday, July 22, the Minister assured affected Ghanaian students that the outstanding fees will be paid, even though the administration does not currently have the full amount in hand.

“We’re dealing with over ¢700 million in debt, which we inherited. It’s a heavy burden, and we are doing everything we can to address it,” he said.

Mr. Opare Addo explained that the debt comprises tuition and related fees owed to schools across the world, putting Ghanaian students at risk of expulsion. To prevent this, the government has deployed officials to negotiate with institutions globally.

“My registrar has been moving from country to country negotiating with these schools. We receive threats daily—some institutions are threatening to sack our students,” he stated.

He emphasized that the situation affects the lives of young Ghanaians and must be handled with urgency.

“This is about Ghanaian students. It’s about our citizens. We must find the money to pay,” he stressed.

Mr. Opare Addo commended the support of the Chief of Staff and the Finance Minister, noting that both are working closely with his ministry to find a solution.

“Some institutions have shown understanding, knowing we are a new government inheriting these issues. We’re slowly aligning and fixing the problems,” he added.

Responding to concerns about students being ordered off campus, the Minister acknowledged such cases but pointed to the previous administration’s failure to settle the debts as the root cause.

“You can’t blame this government for what we inherited. Some of these debts have been outstanding for over a year or two,” he said.

To verify the actual extent of the debt, the ministry has initiated an audit of the scholarship system.

“We’re auditing the system to determine the true state of things. We’ve met some of the students in London and discussed options,” he noted, although he declined to disclose all the details publicly.

He also revealed that some students who have completed their studies but have not returned to Ghana are still expecting stipends, which contravenes the terms of their scholarship agreements.

“Once you complete your program, you are expected to return home. Many want to stay and work abroad. But if you choose to stay, you forfeit your stipend,” he clarified.

Mr. Opare Addo said many students have agreed to forgo their stipends under this condition.

He concluded by reiterating that the audit will help clear the discrepancies and give a more accurate picture of the financial burden.

“As of now, the estimated debt sits at over ¢700 million, but we believe the final figure will be clearer once the audit is complete,” he stated.

The University of Ghana has suspended all social events on its Legon campus after a spike in COVID-19 infections among students. However, lectures will proceed as scheduled, according to a directive issued by the Dean of Student Affairs.

Speaking on Citi FM’s Breakfast Show on Thursday, June 26, Professor Rosina Kyerematen, Dean of Student Affairs, clarified that only social gatherings are affected — not academic lectures.

“Lectures are not social gatherings,” she explained. “In a lecture hall, students listen and take notes quietly. The risk of transmission is much lower compared to a social event like an artiste night, where there is loud excitement and close contact.”

She assured the public that strict safety protocols would be in place for lectures. “Students must wear face masks and maintain social distancing in lecture rooms,” she added.

The announcement follows a June 25 notice from the Dean of Student Affairs’ office, which banned all social gatherings organized by student bodies — including the Student Representative Council (SRC), Graduate Students’ Association of Ghana (GRASAG), Junior Common Rooms (JCRs), and departmental groups.

The decision was prompted by several confirmed COVID-19 cases on campus, as recommended by the university’s Emergency Response Team. While the exact number of infections has not been released, the increase in cases has raised concern among the university community.

The University of Ghana, which previously adopted online teaching during COVID-19 waves in 2020 and 2021, assured that this current surge would not interrupt the academic calendar. University authorities continue to encourage strict adherence to safety protocols and urge those with symptoms to report immediately to campus health services for testing and care.

Social events will remain suspended until further notice.

Read the full notice by the university: