Mahama Government Clarifies GH¢2.7 Billion Allocation To Presidency In 2025 Budget

• The government has explained the GH¢2.7 billion allocated to the Office of the President in the 2025 Budget
• Minister for Government Communications Felix Kwakye Ofosu said the budget was driven up by salaries of public sector workers whose agencies now fall under the presidency
• The allocation includes salaries for workers from agencies such as the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation and other state media

The government has clarified that GH¢2.7 billion was allocated to the presidency in the 2025 Budget.

Minister for Government Communications Felix Kwakye Ofosu said the allocation is that high because of the salaries of public sector workers whose agencies now fall under the presidency for administrative purposes.

In a Facebook broadcast, Ofosu assured that this is not money for the presidency’s use.

“It includes salaries for civil servants whose agencies were reassigned after some ministries were scrapped.”

In 2024, for example, Ghana's Office of Government Machinery, encompassing the Office of the President, was allocated a budget of GH¢2.07 billion.

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The current government has touted the cost savings it is making by scrapping some ministries.

In the 2025 Budget, presented by Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson on March 11, some agencies previously under other ministries are now classified under the Office of Government Machinery for administrative purposes.

According to the budget, the allocation includes salaries for workers from agencies such as the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Information Services Department and Ghana News Agency.

“These institutions provide public service information, and their operations are funded by the state. This is not a separate allocation for political activities.”

Ofosu stressed that no new civil servants have been recruited and that these salaries have always been part of government expenditure.

The difference, he explained, is that their budget allocations now fall under the presidency following the reduction in the number of ministries.

The budget also indicates that discretionary spending at the presidency has been reduced compared to 2024.

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Graphic Online reported that the allocation for goods, services, and capital projects under the presidency has decreased by GH¢345 million.

Reception of 2025 budget

The goodwill for the Mahama administration extended to the the 2025 budget which was well received by Ghanaians.

The government announced the scrapping of the controversial Electronic Transfer Levy, the betting tax and the emissions levy.

Forson announced that critical development funds like the GETFund, the Road Fund, and the NHIL will be uncapped and will receive their full allocation.

He added the government would address funding challenges of the Free Senior High School policy with the uncapping of the GETFund.

Forson set the tone by saying the government will not compromise in its efforts to save the economy

Lack of timelines on 24-hour economy policy

YEN.com.gh reported that some concerns have been raised about the lack of clarity from Ghana's government on the 24-hour economy policy.

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For example, the President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe questioned the absence of a clear implementation plan for the much-touted policy.

Forson said the government would present the proposed policy to Parliament in due course.

Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.

Source: YEN.com.gh