Gov’t Spends GH¢8.94 Billion on Flagship Programmes in 2024, Free SHS Tops List

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.