By Francis Ntow
Accra, March 12, GNA – The Policy Initiative for Economic Development (PIED), a think-tank, has described the government’s policy interventions in the 2025 budget as progressive, urging for their effective implementation.
“On the whole, the policies sound quite progressive,” said Dr. Daniel Ameteye Amin-Prempeh, Chief Economist with PIED, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency on Wednesday
“What is left is the implementation and ensuring that you block the loopholes and minimise corruption, which has been a kind of difficulty for us over the years,” he said.
Dr. Amin-Prempeh said that implementing the revenue and expenditure measures effectively would guarantee “a certain level of stability that will be necessary to prepare the grounds going forward.”
Some of the economic policies include scrapping the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-levy), COVID-19 Levy, and the 10 percent tax on bet winnings.
Others are the cancellation of the Emission Levy, VAT on motor vehicle insurance, and the 1.5 percent withholding tax on unprocessed gold winnings by small-scale miners.
On the social front, the government allocated GH₵3.5 billion to the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme and GH₵499.8 million for the No-Academic-Fee policy for all first-year students in public tertiary institutions.
The budget also allocated GH₵242.5 million to support victims of the Akosombo dam spillage and GH₵200 million to assist victims of the tidal wave disaster in Agavedzi and surrounding communities in Ketu South.
The government also announced GH₵292.4 million to begin the distribution of free sanitary pads to female students in primary and secondary schools.
Dr. Amin-Prempeh suggested the initiative should be procured locally to empower Ghanaian businesses.
“We really hope that it doesn’t end up in shops of various people who are affiliated to the party.
“They need to ensure it gets to the beneficiaries or those who benefit from that facility,” he said.
Dr. Amin-Prempeh also cautioned the government against wholesale continuation of initiatives from the previous administration, such as the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) programme.
Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, minister of finance, said during the budget presentation that the government would remain committed to the 24-hour economy policy to stimulate economic growth and job creation.
He stated that the 2025 budget would serve as the foundation for creating a more resilient and equitable society.
He also urged Parliament, the business community, civil society, investors, and all citizens to back its implementation.
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