Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has revealed that the grant of the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) will be increased to reflect the current cost of living.
According to him, the programme which provides one hot nutritious meal each day for 3,448,065 beneficiary pupils in public basic schools as of December, 2021 will be sustained. He revealed that this is to help government fulfill its pledge on the programme.
“In 2023, the feeding grant will be increased to reflect the current cost of living. The programme will also strengthen domestic production by sourcing locally produced food from the National Buffer Stock company.”
Ken Ofori-Atta
Speaking at the 2023 budget presentation in on November 24, 2022, Mr Ofori-Atta stated that government will ensure significant revenue measures to tackle Ghana’s fiscal difficulties, finance the transformative agenda of Government and sustain the post COVID-19 recovery.
He indicated that government in 2005 abolished the charging and payments of all forms of fees/levies in all public basic schools and replaced them with the capitation grant. This, he explained, has contributed to steady increases in enrollment over the years.
“Government will continue to strengthen monitoring to address teething challenges in the implementation of the policy which include; timely release of the grant, misuse of funds, transparency and poor book keeping and value of grant amount.”
Ken Ofori-Atta
Progress on Road infrastructure
Commenting on government’s commitment to improve road infrastructure, the finance minister indicated that the Ministry of Roads and Highways continued its Nationwide Road and Bridge Construction Programme.
He noted that works on the La Beach Road Project and the construction of a 3-tier interchange at Nungua Barrier are progressing steadily. Additionally, he explained that works on the interchange currently stand at 62 percent.
“Construction of the Kumasi Lake Roads and Drainage Extension project is almost complete and stands at 97 percent. Work is ongoing on the 17.85 km Ofankor Nsawam dual carriage road which is scheduled to be completed in May 2024.”
Ken Ofori-Atta
The finance minister expressed that the dualization on the Tema – Aflao and the Tema – Akosombo roads has commenced. Also, he highlighted that works are ongoing on the rehabilitation of Assin Fosu – Assin Praso road including the dualisation of 1.2km of Assin Fosu township roads into a 4-lane carriageway is at 53 percent.
“Additionally, works on the reconstruction of Bechem – Techimantia – Akomadan and Agona Nkwanta – Tarkwa roads are at 21 percent and 7 percent completion, respectively. Works on Phase II of the Obetsebi Lamptey Circle Interchange and ancillary work is at 71 percent completion. Additionally, construction of the Flyover over the Accra- Tema Motorway from the Flower Pot roundabout is 56 percent complete.”
Ken Ofori-Atta
To improve connectivity within areas cut off by waterways, Mr Ofori-Atta emphasized that work on the construction of prefabricated bridges continued in 2022. He further revealed that progress of the new bridge being constructed over River Pra to separate vehicular traffic from the rail along the Twifo Praso-Dunkwa road is at 87 percent completion.
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