Gov’t sets spending priorities for 2025: Roads, Free SHS, NHIS, and disaster relief top budget

The government has laid out its spending plans for 2025, with major allocations to infrastructure, education, healthcare, disaster relief, and job creation.

 Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson presented the budget to Parliament on March 11, 2025, outlining how funds will be distributed to sustain social intervention programmes and drive economic recovery.

Infrastructure and education receive major allocations

The Big Push Programme, aimed at infrastructure development, received GH¢13.85 billion, the highest allocation in the budget. The funds will go into constructing roads, bridges, and other projects meant to support economic growth.

Education also received substantial funding, with GH¢3.5 billion allocated to the Free Senior High School Programme to keep secondary education free.

Additionally, GH¢564.6 million has been set aside for textbooks, while GH¢499.8 million will fund the No-Academic-Fee policy for first-year students in public tertiary institutions.

In a move to address menstrual health in schools, GH¢292.4 million has been allocated for the free distribution of sanitary pads to female students in primary and secondary schools.

Other allocations in the education sector include GH¢203 million for teacher trainee allowances, GH¢480 million for nursing trainee allowances, and GH¢145.5 million for the Capitation Grant, which supports basic schools.

Healthcare and disaster relief

The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) will receive GH¢9.93 billion to improve healthcare services across the country.

In response to recent disasters, the government has allocated GH¢242.5 million to support victims of the Akosombo Dam spillage, while GH¢200 million has been set aside for those affected by tidal waves in Ketu South. The funds will go towards relief efforts and rebuilding communities affected by these disasters.

Support for job creation and agriculture

To help tackle unemployment, GH¢300 million has been earmarked for the National Apprenticeship Programme, which will equip young people with vocational and technical skills. Another GH¢100 million will go into the National Coders Programme, aimed at developing IT skills.

In a bid to support women in business, the government has allocated GH¢51.3 million as a seed fund for the Women’s Development Bank, which will provide financial assistance to female entrepreneurs.

The Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda (AETA) has also been given GH¢1.5 billion, with the aim of increasing food production and supporting agribusinesses.

Funding for roads and local development

The Ghana Road Fund will receive GH¢2.81 billion for road construction and maintenance.

Additionally, GH¢7.51 billion has been allocated to the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) to support development projects at the local government level.