1. The Right Honourable Speaker, Honourable Members of Parliament, on the

authority of His Excellency, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, I present to

you the Mid-Year Fiscal Policy of the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the

Government of Ghana for the 2024 Financial Year.

2. This Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review presentation is in fulfilment of Section 28 of

the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921).

3. Mr. Speaker, this Statement is an abridge version of the Mid-Year Fiscal Policy

Review of the Budget Statement and Economic Policy for the 2024 financial Year. I

respectfully request that the entire Mid-Year Fiscal Policy be captured in the Hansard.

4. Mr. Speaker, I want to begin this Mid-Year Policy Review by expressing my

gratitude to H.E. President and Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, Nana

Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for appointing me to serve as the Finance Minister,

especially at this critical time in our nation’s history. It is such an honour and privilege

to serve in this capacity and I am grateful for the opportunity.

5. As the Member of Parliament for Karaga, and one of your own, I wish to also

express my profound appreciation to you, Right Hon. Speaker and Hon. Members for

the immense support I have received. I will continue to rely on the full cooperation of

the House as we work to serve our country.

6. Growing up as a young boy in Aboabo-Tamale, it never crossed my mind that

I would one day stand before you to address this august House in this capacity. The

young people out there should therefore know that - IT IS POSSIBLE - with hard

work, dedication, and by the Grace of God one can have the opportunity to serve this

country.

7. Mr. Speaker, the last two years have been extremely challenging globally, and

Ghana has not been an exception. The difficult economic environment has truly

affected businesses and families, particularly the vulnerable in our society.

8. These challenges have severely affected households, increased the cost of

living and limited the creation of job opportunities. Our young people continue to seek

employment opportunities beyond what the State can provide. It has, indeed, Mr.

Speaker, been a difficult time and I empathise with our entire fellow Ghanaians.

9. Mr. Speaker, over the last two years, Government has embarked on a number

of decisive measures to get us back on the path of fiscal consolidation, economic

stability and growth. I am happy to note that these policies that we have implemented

are yielding the expected results.

• Growth continues to exceed our expectations. The 4.7 percent growth rate

reported by the Ghana Statistical Service for first quarter 2024 exceeds the

revised target of 3.1 percent;

• Inflation is declining. End-June inflation rate of 22.8 percent, a reduction of

31 percentage points since December, 2022, confirms the target threshold of

+/-2 of 15 percent by end 2024 is possible;

 

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• Exchange rate has largely stabilised, compared to December, 2022, despite the

recent pressures. The 18.6 percent depreciation rate to the US Dollar as of

June 2024, represents an improvement over the 22.0 percent recorded for

the same period last year; and

• Gross International Reserves reached 3.1 months of import as at end June

2024 against 2.5 months of imports in the same period last year.

10. Mr. Speaker, it is evident that we are on the right trajectory. The economy is

rebounding stronger than anticipated. The choices we have made and the policies we

are implementing are yielding results. We have reversed the negative trends, all the

indicators are looking better. I want to assure you that we will stay on this path and

continue to make the right choices. Our economic recovery is fast and strong.

11. Mr. Speaker, over the last six months, we have sought to bring some urgency

and speed to the implementation of key government programmes and also swiftly

provided the necessary support for growth-enhancing initiatives. I am again happy to

inform this august House that with the support of His Excellency the President, Cabinet

and other Stakeholders,:

• We have successfully concluded the second review of our Extended Credit

Facility with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which led to the

disbursement of the 3rd tranche of 360 million US Dollars, bringing total

disbursement to about US$1.6 billion;

• We have completed the Debt Restructuring programme with the Official

Creditor Committee (OCC), covering US$5.1 billion dollars resulting in

approximately 2.8 billion US Dollars of debt relief. This means that we will

not service our debt to our official creditors from 2023 to 2026;

• We have concluded negotiations with our Eurobond holders, covering 13.1

billion US Dollars, which will lead to a cancellation of 4.7 billion US Dollars

of our debt and provide debt service relief of 4.4 billion US Dollars between

2023 and 2026.

• We have concluded our negotiations with five (5) of the seven (7) Independent

Power Producers, which will lead to a saving of some of US$6.6 US Billion

over the lifetime of the Purchasing Power Agreements (PPAs);

• We have reined in expenditures to ensure we are within 2024 Budget

Appropriation and exceeded the midyear revenue target by 0.2 percent by

end-June, 2024. In effect, Mr. Speaker, we are living within our means. Indeed,

consistent with our programme with the IMF, we are on course to achieving a

primary surplus of 0.5 percent of GDP by end of the year.

• We have cleared all outstanding Bank Transfer Advice (BTAs) up to 2022, and

working hard to pay BTAs from 2023;

• We have embarked on major reforms of State Owned Enterprises (SOEs),

especially those in the Energy and Cocoa sectors, to be fiscally prudent and

reduce their risk on the budget.

 

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• We have launched the SME GO programme to provide financial and technical

support to SMEs.

• We have disbursed 5.4 billion Ghana Cedis to support LEAP, School Feeding

programme, Capitation Grant and NHIS since January, 2024 to reduce the

burden on the vulnerable in our country.

• We have spent about 1.5 billion Ghana Cedis to support 1,488,575 students

under the Free SHS programme between January and June this year;

• We have paid about 12 billion Ghana Cedis to bondholders under our

Domestic Debt Exchange programme, since February, to demonstrate our

commitment to the programme.

12. Mr. Speaker, we have invested almost 10 billion Ghana Cedis in the Road

Sector since January, 2024 to enhance transportation and spur growth. I can also

confirm that Government has secured equipment to complement the efforts of our

local authorities in improving community roads nationwide.

13. Mr. Speaker, in line with our commitment to infrastructure development, we

continue to make progress on projects such as the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital,

Ofankor-Nsawam Road, Keta Water Supply, Obetsebi Lamptey and Flower Pot

 

Interchanges, the three (3) by-passes on the Kumasi-Accra Highway, and the Tema-

Mpakadan Railway Line.

 

14. We have completed the Prempeh I International Airport in Kumasi and the

Yakubu Tali International Airport in Tamale. Agenda 111 Hospitals are at various

stages of completion. We have completed the Afari Hospital in Kumasi and many other

hospitals across the country.

15. To advance our digitalisation drive and expand our unique identification system,

we have invested about 135 million Ghana Cedis in the National Identification

Programme since January 2024.

16. Mr. Speaker, this significant progress has been underpinned by an environment

of enhanced and inclusive engagements with key stakeholders. These engagements

have provided useful feedback, improved understanding and bolstered cooperation.

17. Mr. Speaker, the stabilisation is real. We are determined to stay the course on

our fiscal consolidation programme. Increased attention will continue to be given to

prudent management of approved expenditures and improved revenue mobilisation.

18. We will also continue with our programme of delivering critical physical and

digital infrastructure. To generate economic activity and increase growth, we will focus

on increasing our investments in the roads sector under the Economic Roads

Improvement Programme (ERIP). This programme will ensure that roads are built

to connect producing areas to market centres and to key tourist sites. Accordingly,

certain critical economic roads have been prioritised. We are structuring a financial

arrangement that will ensure the timely completion of these strategic roads:

• Accra-Kumasi highway, which has been ongoing for 15 years;

• Accra-Takoradi highway;

 

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• Takoradi-Agona Nkwanta Junction; and

• Tema-Afienya.

19. We will work with the private sector to close the national housing deficit and

optimise land use in urban areas. We will use Public Private Partnership (PPP) to

deliver public infrastructure projects.

20. Mr. Speaker, Cabinet has also granted approval for

• the disbursement of an additional 1.5 billion Ghana Cedis to settle

outstanding claims relating to the financial management companies;

• the establishment of a framework for the re-introduction of Road and Bridge

Tolls in 2025;

• the operationalisation of the integrated property tax system; and

• the amendment of the Fiscal Responsibility Act and reinstate the numeric

threshold that was suspended in 2020.

21. Mr. Speaker, our outlook for the rest of the year also takes cognisance of key

risks. The IMF, this month, has already noted that “the Global Economy is in a sticky

 

spot.” Upside risks to inflation and their impact on interest rates remain. These co-

exist in an environment of escalating trade tensions and increased policy uncertainty.

 

22. On the domestic front, we recognise the need to meet large debt service

payments relating to our just-ended debt operations. We will continue to review the

performance of key SOEs and engage stakeholders to decisively mitigate their risks.

23. Despite these significant risks, this Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review reasserts

Government’s commitment to pursue growth in a context of fiscal consolidation and

debt sustainability.

 

24. Mr. Speaker, the developments in key operations of the economy as at mid-

year have prompted shifts in some of the assumptions that underpinned the 2024

 

Budget presented in November, 2023. There have been changes in amortisation,

interest cost due to the external debt operations and disbursement forecast for

externally funded projects. In this regard, we will remain within the appropriation for

2024.

25. Accordingly, we are not seeking supplementary funds in this Mid-Year Review.

We are determined to be more efficient, strategic and intentional to entrench fiscal

consolidation and strongly promote growth.

26. Mr. Speaker, in today’s presentation of the Mid-Year Policy Review of

Government, I will provide updates on the following key areas:

• An update on the macro and fiscal performance for the year 2023;

• A review of the implementation of the 2024 Budget for the first half of the year;

• the current economic developments and outlook, progress made on the

implementation of the IMF-supported PC-PEG;

 

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• the status of Ghana’s debt restructuring programme;

• efforts at pursuing growth and development within a stable macroeconomic

environment;

• the status of implementation of Government programmes, among others.

 

CHAPTER TWO: MACRO ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE

 

Global Economic Developments

Economic Growth

27. Mr. Speaker, global growth projections indicate a moderation from 3.5 percent

in 2022 to 3.3 percent in 2023. This trend is expected to vary slightly into 2024 with

a growth of 3.2 percent and 3.3 percent in 2025 according to the July 2024 update to

the World Economic Outlook (WEO).

28. The forecasts for Sub-Saharan Africa point to an uptick from 3.4 percent in

2023 to 3.7 percent and 4.1 percent in 2024 and 2025 respectively. This growth

trajectory is supported by the reversal of earlier anticipated weather-related shocks

and ongoing improvements in supply conditions.

Inflation

29. Mr. Speaker, global headline inflation is expected to decline from 6.7 percent

in 2023 to 5.9 percent in 2024 and further to 4.4 percent in 2025, according to the

WEO update for July 2024.

30. In the Sub-Saharan Africa region, headline inflation is projected to decrease to

6 percent in 2024 from 10 percent in 2023. However, about one-third of the region's

countries continue to experience double-digit headline inflation, largely influenced by

the pass-through impacts of significant currency depreciations.

Commodity Prices

31. Mr. Speaker, gold prices have reached record highs, rising by 8 percent annually

due to safe haven flows and robust central bank buying. Prices are expected to

increase moderately to $2,100/toz throughout 2024.

Update on Domestic Economic Developments in 2023 and First Half of 2024

32. Mr. Speaker, when we presented the 2024 Budget to this august House last

November, we shared our progress in terms of macroeconomic performance for the

first three quarters of 2023. Today, with the full-year data at our disposal, I present a

more comprehensive update on the performance of the domestic of economy in 2023

and the first half of 2024.

33. Mr. Speaker, the year 2023 was characterized by improved macroeconomic

stability, resilience, and gradual recovery. Despite the persistent global headwinds

 

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stemming from the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine

conflict, we observed some encouraging developments. We witnessed a gradual shift

towards economic stabilization, with most key macroeconomic indicators showing

signs of improvement including growth proving to be more resilient and robust than

initially programmed.

Real Sector Developments

Overall GDP

34. Mr. Speaker, provisional 2023 GDP statistics published by the Ghana Statistical

Service (GSS) in April 2024, indicate that growth of the economy in 2023 was more

resilient than projected. The economy expanded by 2.9 percent whilst non-oil GDP

grew by 3.3 percent. In the first quarter of 2024, growth was 4.7 percent, the highest

growth recorded since second quarter of 2022. This growth largely reflected an

expansion in the Industry Sector which recorded a growth of 6.8 percent

Price Developments

35. Mr. Speaker, headline inflation decelerated significantly to 23.2 percent at the

end December 2023, representing 31.4 percentage points reduction from the peak of

54.6 percent recorded in December 2022. In June 2024, headline inflation declined to

22.8 percent. The decline in price pressures was broadly driven by tight monetary

policy stance, ongoing fiscal consolidation of government, Low volatility of transport

fares due to stable crude oil prices.

Interest Rates Developments

36. Mr. Speaker, in 2023, interest rates broadly showed downward trends at the

shorter end of the yield curve whiles rates at the longer-dated segment of the market,

remained stable. The 91-day and 182-day Treasury bill rates decreased to 29.4

percent and 31.7 percent in December 2023 and further down to 24.9 percent and

24.6 percent in June 2024 from 35.5 percent and 36.2 percent recorded, in December

2022.

 

Banking Sector

37. Mr. Speaker, the banking sector rebounded in 2023 with an improved balance

sheet performance in December 2023 on the back of increased liquidity flows from

deposits and shareholders’ funds. Total assets increased by 29.7 percent to GH¢274.9

billion as at end-December 2023. Total investments increased by 47.5 percent to

GH¢100.2 billion, driven by the banks reallocated portfolios towards short-term

investments in response to the increase in short term money market rates.

External Sector Developments

38. Mr. Speaker, developments in Ghana’s external sector in 2023 was marked by

a general reduction in external payments, resulting in a Current account surplus and

reduced Capital & Financial account outflow. Consequently, the overall Balance of

Payments recorded a surplus of US$461.6 million.

 

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39. The current account improved to a surplus of US$1.41 billion, driven by a strong

growth in remittances as the reforms in the Fintech ecosystem started to yield positive

results.

 

40. Mr. Speaker, for the first half of 2024, the trade balance recorded a provisional

surplus of US$1.81 billion, higher than the outturn of US$1.60 billion recorded in the

corresponding period of 2023. This was the result of a larger increase in exports which

outweighed the increase in imports.

41. The improved trade surplus, together with an even stronger growth in

remittances and the lingering reduction in income payments due to the debt standstill,

resulted in larger Current account surplus of US$1.28 billion (1.5 percent of GDP) in

the first half of 2024. This compares with a Current account surplus of US863.0 million

(1.1 percent of GDP), registered in the same period a year ago.

International Reserves

42. Mr. Speaker, Gross International Reserves (GIR) stood at US$5.9 billion,

equivalent to 2.7 months of import cover for goods and services, at the end of

December 2023. Our reserves further increased to US$6.9 billion, equivalent to 3.1

months of import cover at the end of June 2024.

Exchange Rate

43. Mr. Speaker, the Ghana Cedi experienced a relatively moderate depreciation

against major international currencies in 2023 compared to the previous year.

Cumulatively, the Ghana Cedi depreciated by 27.8 percent, 31.9 percent and 30.3

percent against the US dollar, the Pound Sterling and the Euro, respectively in 2023.

In the first half of 2024, the Cedi depreciated by 18.6 percent, 17.9 percent and 16.0

percent against the US dollar, the Pound Sterling and the Euro, respectively. This

compares to a depreciation of 22.0 percent. 26.3 percent and 23.8 percent against

the US dollar, the Pound Sterling and the Euro, respectively in the first half of 2023.

Fiscal Sector Performance in 2023 and the first half of 2024

Summary of 2023 Fiscal Performance

44. Mr. Speaker, Government’s fiscal operations for 2023 shows significant

improvement in the fiscal balances, demonstrating an effective fiscal consolidation

with the primary balance on commitment basis reducing by over 4 percentage points

of GDP in 2023 relative to 2022.

 

45. The fiscal performance for 2023 is presented within the context of the revised

2023 overall deficit (on commitment basis) target of 5.7 percent of GDP, with a

corresponding primary deficit of 0.5 percent of GDP. On cash basis, the revised 2023

overall deficit target was 6.4 percent of GDP.

 

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• Overall budget deficit (on commitment basis) was GH¢31.5 billion (3.7%

of GDP), compared to the MYB target of GH¢49.0 billion (5.7% of GDP);

• Primary balance (on commitment basis), was a deficit of GH¢2.2 billion

(0.3% of GDP), which was an improvement over the deficit target of

GH¢4.1 billion (0.5% of GDP), and a significant improvement from the

deficit 4.3 percent of GDP recorded in 2022;

• The overall budget balance (on cash basis) was a deficit of GH¢28.0 billion

(3.3% of GDP), which is much lower than the target of GH¢55.0 billion

(6.4% of GDP), and down from the deficit of 10.6 percent of GDP recorded

in 2022;

• Primary balance (on cash basis) was a surplus of GH¢1.4 billion (0.2% of

GDP), which is an improvement compared to the deficit target of GH¢10.1

billion (1.2% of GDP) and the deficit 3.2 percent of GDP recorded in 2022.

46. Mr. Speaker, provisional data on Government fiscal operations for the first half

of 2024 indicates that revenue mobilization and expenditure execution were broadly

in line with the target, resulting in an overall budget deficit on commitment basis of

GH¢21.3 billion. The corresponding Primary balance (on commitment basis) was a

deficit of GH¢2.3 billion (0.2% of GDP), compared to the deficit target of GH¢2.4 billion

(0.2% of GDP).

47. Mr. Speaker, the overall cash budget deficit was GH¢36.1 billion (3.4% of GDP),

compared with the deficit target of GH¢35.2 billion (3.3% of GDP). The corresponding

primary balance (on cash basis) was a deficit of GH¢17.1 billion (1.6% of GDP),

compared with the period target of GH¢8.8 billion (0.8% of GDP).

48. Mr. Speaker, Total Revenue and Grants for the first half of 2024 amounted to

GH¢74.7 billion,1.9 percent below the target of GH¢76.1 billion. Despite the shortfalls,

the outturn shows a nominal year-on-year growth of 24.6 percent and constitutes 42.3

percent of the Budget's Total Revenue for the year. The revenue performance was

mainly driven by the strong performance in Non-oil Tax Revenue and Non-oil Non-Tax

Revenue which partly offset the shortfalls in oil receipts for the period.

49. Mr. Speaker, Total Expenditures (commitment) amounted to GH¢ 95.9 billion,

below the budget target of GH¢ 104.8 billion.

Public Debt Developments in 2023 and Half-Year (H1) of 2024

50. Mr. Speaker, as at end-December 2023, the provisional central government and

guaranteed debt in nominal terms was GH¢608.4,4 billion This was made up of

GH¢351.1billion and GH¢257.2billion for external and domestic debt respectively.

51. Mr. Speaker, the provisional total central government debt as at end-June 2024

stood at GH¢742.0 billion (US$50.9 billion), equivalent to 70.6 percent of GDP. This

indicates an increase of 22.0 percent due to the effect of the Cedi depreciation and

the continuous disbursements from creditors. The stock consists of external debt of

GH¢452.0 billion and domestic debt of GH¢290.0 billion, representing 60.9 percent

 

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and 39.1 percent of the total debt stock, respectively. As a percentage of GDP, external

and domestic debt represented 43.0 percent and 27.6 percent, respectively.

REVISED MACRO ECONOMIC FRAMEWORK

52. Mr. Speaker, Ghana’s medium-term macroeconomic and financial outlook and

prospects remain positive and favourable despite the challenging global environment. The

ongoing implementation of the IMF-supported Post-COVID-19 Programme for Economic

Growth (PC-PEG) reinforces our commitment to navigate through global uncertainties and

address domestic challenges. Government's unwavering dedication to maintaining

macroeconomic stability, promoting investment, and enhancing social protection

programs continues re-echo our objective of building back better.

53. Mr Speaker, it is has become necessary to revise the 2024 macroeconomic

framework due to the latest economic developments, both domestic and global, including

the impact of the debt restructuring.

54. Mr Speaker, key revisions to the macro-fiscal targets for 2024 include:

 

• Overall Real GDP Growth rate revised upwards from 2.8 percent to 3.1

percent;

• Non-Oil Real GDP Growth rate of revised upwards from 2.1 percent to 2.8

percent;

• Growth in GDP deflator scaled down from 20.2 percent to 17.5 percent;

• Nominal overall GDP has been revised from GHs1,050 billion to GHs1,020

billion;

• Non-Oil GDP has been revised from GHs979 billion to GHs977,093 billion;

• End-period headline inflation remains unchanged at 15 percent;

• Primary Balance on Commitment basis is maintained at a surplus of 0.5

percent; and

• Gross International Reserves (including oil funds and encumbered/pledged

assets) to cover not less than 3.0 months of imports.

Revision to the 2024 Fiscal Framework

55. Mr. Speaker, accounting for these developments, the revision of the 2024 fiscal

framework indicates that the primary balance on a commitment basis remains unchanged

at the targeted surplus of 0.5% of GDP, in line with the IMF-supported PC-PEG objectives.

56. Mr. Speaker, Total Revenue and Grants have been revised upward by 0.5 percent

to GH¢177,220 million (17.4% of GDP) in 2024, from the 2024 Budget target of

GH¢176,414 million (16.8% of GDP), largely reflecting increase in Non-Oil Non-Tax

Revenue which has been increased from GH¢14,837 million (1.4% of GDP) to GH¢15,638

million (1.5% of GDP) to reflect dividends from interest accrued in the ESLA accounts.

57. Mr. Speaker, Total Expenditure (commitment) has been revised downward by 2.1

percent, to GH¢219,749 million (21.5% of GDP) from the original budget projection of

GH¢226,681 million (21.6% of GDP). This revision is largely on the back of Interest

Payments which has been revised downwards by GHs7,934 million to reflect the impact

of the external debt restructuring on external interest payment.

 

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58. Mr. Speaker, the overall balance on commitment basis has been revised from a

deficit of GH¢50,267 million (4.8% of GDP) to a deficit of GH¢42,529 million (4.2% of

GDP). The primary balance on commitment basis is maintained at surplus of 0.5% of GDP.

59. Mr. Speaker, the cash deficit of GH¢54,142 million (5.3% of GDP) is expected to

be financed from both foreign and domestic sources. The Net Foreign financing will

amount to GH¢15,222 million (1.5% of GDP) representing 28.1 percent of the total

financing for 2024. Foreign financing will include disbursements from the second and third

tranche of the IMF ECF programme and World Bank Development Policy Operation (DPO)

funding.

60. Mr. Speaker, the Domestic Financing will amount to GH¢38,920 million (3.8% of

revised GDP), representing 71.9 percent of the total financing for 2024. This is expected

to be sourced from the issuances of debt at the short end of the domestic market and

inflows from Ghana Petroleum Funds.

Medium-Term Debt Management Strategy (MTDS)

61. Mr. Speaker, the 2024 MTDS will continue to build on the strategy implemented in the

first half of the year. The strategy will focus on an appropriate financing mix aimed at

supporting fiscal consolidation without compromising macroeconomic stability and debt

sustainability.

UPDATE ON GHANA’S DEBT RESTRUCTURING PROGRAMME AND RELATED

MATTERS

Update on Domestic Debt Exchange Programme

62. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report that Government has made substantial

progress since the completion of the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) in

September 2023. We have successfully honoured two coupon payments, with the

second payment of about 5.9 billion Ghana Cedis in February 2024. Furthermore,

we are on track to make the third coupon payment of 6.1 billion Ghana Cedis in

August 2024. The timely payments of these coupons will undoubtedly improve investor

confidence in the domestic market and bolster the overall economy.

 

Progress on restructuring of official bilateral debt

63. After an eight (8) month period of negotiations, Government and the Official

Creditor Committee (OCC) reached an agreement in principle on 12th January, 2024

outlining the broad parameters for the restructuring of official bilateral debt.

64. Subsequently, on 11th June, 2024, Government and the OCC reached

agreement on an MoU covering the restructuring of about 5.1 billion US Dollars of

the official bilateral debt.

65. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report that this agreement resulted in debt service

relief amounting to 2.8 billion US Dollars over the course of the IMF programme

period (2023-2026), providing critical liquidity support.

 

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66. Mr. Speaker, the MoU will serve as the guiding document for amending

individual country claims. The next critical step is the direct engagement with the

bilateral creditors to implement the mutually agreed restructuring terms.

Update on Eurobond Holders

67. Mr. Speaker, Government is committed to securing debt treatment from all

other external creditors consistent with the comparability of treatment principle

enshrined in the G20 Common Framework.

68. We are pleased to announce that on 24th June, 2024, Government reached an

agreement in principle with the Eurobond holders committees to restructure

approximately 13.1 billion US Dollars of outstanding Eurobonds. Additionally, it

reduces the nominal value of the outstanding Eurobonds by 4.7 billion US Dollars

and provides debt service relief of about 4.4 billion US Dollars during the

programme period.

69. Mr. Speaker, the debt restructuring will result in reducing the present value of

our public debt to 55 percent by 2028, as embedded in the IMF-supported PC-PEG

programme.

Progress on restructuring of other commercial loans

70. Mr. Speaker, the Government of Ghana remains committed to engaging in good

faith negotiations with other commercial external creditors, comprising primarily

private banks and suppliers or contractors that have provided commercial loan

facilities.

71. Our objective is to finalise restructuring agreements with these creditors that

uphold the principle of comparability of treatment and addresses Ghana's requirement

for debt relief, ensuring a comprehensive and sustainable approach to our external

debt obligations.

72. The debt restructuring has been a crucial pillar of Ghana's economic recovery

following the 2022 crisis. It has helped to restore confidence in the economy and the

following benefits are evident:

• rapid restoration of macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability;

• avoidance of steeper fiscal adjustment;

• creation of fiscal space for development spending; and

• prevention of a domestic and external banking crisis.

73. Mr. Speaker, despite the benefits, we remain committed to exercising caution,

informed by the lessons learned from our experiences and the sacrifices of every

Ghanaian. Our debt strategy going forward includes deepening reforms to ensure

irreversibility and building buffers to reduce vulnerabilities and enhance resilience.

 

PURSUING GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT WITHIN A STABLE MACRO

ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT

REVENUE MOBILISATION AND EXPENDITURE CONTROL MEASURES

 

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74. Mr. Speaker, in the 2024 Budget Statement and Economic Policy, Government

outlined a series of revenue measures consistent with the Medium-Term Revenue

Strategy (MTRS). The measures reflected the commitment of Government to improve

the tax-to-GDP ratio from the current 14.1 percent to 18 – 20 percent by 2027.

Domestic Revenue Mobilisation

75. In the 2024 Budget, Government amended existing legislation to give effect to

the revenue measures. These measures also aim to broaden the tax base and improve

tax compliance for a more equitable and efficient revenue system.

76. Mr. Speaker, whilst not all the measures were implemented in the first half of

the year, through enhanced compliance and enforcement, the Ghana Revenue

Authority (GRA) exceeded its midyear target by 0.2 percent. Similarly, Non-Tax

Revenue (NTR) performance as at the end of June exceeded the target by 14.0

percent.

77. Mr. Speaker, in line with its commitment to ensuring full disclosure of retained

internal generated funds by public institutions, Government has deployed the

Ghana.Gov Platform to over 1,500 public institutions and also rolled out the Ghana

Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) to 287 IGF-reliant

public institutions.

78. As at the end of June, 140 public institutions including GRA, had gone live and

received payments through the Platform, totalling 56.4 billion Ghana Cedis, an

increase of 34.6% compared to the same period last year.

Outlook (July - December 2024)

79. Mr. Speaker, for the rest of the year, the Ministry of Finance will deepen

engagements with both GRA and relevant stakeholders to effectively implement policy,

administrative and regulatory measures to ensure that the revenue targets are met.

80. Mr. Speaker, to broaden the tax base, a simplified digital solution for the

operationalization of the modified taxation scheme will be deployed, as well as an

electronic bookkeeping system. Additionally, 2000 more taxpayers will be on-boarded

onto the electronic invoicing system (e-VAT) by the close of the year.

81. GRA will also continue with the cleaning of the taxpayer register and on-board

more taxpayers onto its electronic systems to improve the taxpayer experience and

compliance. In addition, GRA will continue to enhance data sharing with other tax

jurisdictions to boost revenue mobilisation.

82. Government will re-institute the integrated property tax system by synthesizing

data from MMDAs, Lands valuation, ECG and other relevant government agencies to

create a comprehensive digital property record database that will transform property

data management and ensure a more efficient and accurate property tax system.

83. Mr. Speaker, the high NTR performance for the first half of the year has

necessitated an upward review of the 2024 estimates from about 14.8 billion Ghana

Cedis to GH¢18.8 billion. Public institutions that are reliant on internally generated

funds will be allowed additional retention if they exceed revenue targets for the year.

 

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84. The Ministry will continue the deployment of the Ghana.Gov Payment Platform

to remaining public institutions and ensure that all those already on-boarded go-live.

Additionally, the outstanding activities for the full rollout and utilisation of the GIFMIS

for the processing of IGF expenditures will be completed by the end of the year.

85. Mr. Speaker, Government, will also develop a framework for the re-introduction

of Road and Bridge Tolls to facilitate the processes for the implementation of a

modernised and efficient road and bridge tolling system commencing in 2025.

Expenditure Control Measures

86. Mr. Speaker, the 2024 Budget outlined a number of expenditure measures as

part of the fiscal consolidation process.

We have

• undertaken a stocktaking exercise and the prioritisation of projects within the

medium-term capital expenditure ceiling;

• initiated a Blanket Purchase Agreement to fully capture multi-year

commitments or contracts in the GIFMIS;

• streamlined earmarked funds as part of the ongoing expenditure rationalisation

measures;

• issued a circular to all covered entities on the implementation of the sanctions

regime in respect of the non-compliance with PFM requirement; and

• enrolled 856 procurement entities on the Ghana Electronic Procurement System

(GHANEPS);

 

STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF KEY GOVERNMENT PROGRAMMES

87. Mr. Speaker, the 2024 Budget Statement provides a framework for the

Government to address the economic difficulties and challenges that arose in recent

times. The measures that Government undertook have led to stability and the

economy is rebounding.

88. Government also continued the implementation of ongoing programmes and

seeks in this Mid-Year review, to provide an update on the progress and the outlook

for the rest of the year.

 

Roads and Highways

89. Mr. Speaker, Government is determined to improve road infrastructure in the

country. This has been done through the construction of new roads, and the upgrade

and maintenance of old ones.

90. The rehabilitation and maintenance of road infrastructure nationwide are at

various stages of completion. These include:

• Juaboso-Boinzan on-going roads

 

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• Winneba-Kasoa

• Karaga Town Road

• Gushegu Town

• Tolon Daboya Road

• Nanton-Karaga-Gushegu Highway

• Sefwi Wiawso town roads

• Accra - Kumasi road

91. Some of the completed road projects include:

• Dadiesoba-Esiankyim-Manhyia

• Antwi Agyeikrom – Debra Camp & others

• Sunyani & Berekum Inner City Roads

• Atebubu Town Roads

• Assin Fosu – Dunkwa – Cocoa Station

• Kwahu Tafo – Miaso

 

92. Mr. Speaker, in addition, the following major roads are at various stages of

completion:

• the rehabilitation of the Tamale – Tatale road;

• Phase 2 of the Tema Motorway Roundabout;

• Construction of the Flyover over the Accra Tema Motorway from the Flowerpot

roundabout on the Spintex Road to East Legon;

• Construction of the Phase 2 works under the Suame Interchange;

• Dualization of Nsawam – Ofankor Road;

• Works on the Agona Nkwanta – Tarkwa Road;

• Works on the Dome-Kitase Road; and

• Phase 2 of Obetsebi Lamptey Interchange and Ancillary Works.

Railways Development

93. Mr. Speaker, our commitment to building an efficient railway network is not

just about transportation; it is about fostering economic growth, creating jobs, and

enhancing connectivity throughout our nation.

94. The Nsawam – Accra – Tema railway line is completed and in use. The

construction of the iconic Tema to Mpakadan railway line is 99 percent complete and

is expected to be fully completed this year. The construction of the Kojokrom-Manso

section, is expected to be completed before the end of 2024. The Manso - Huni Valley,

which includes the extension of the line into the Takoradi Port, is expected to be

completed by May 2026.

Transport

95. Mr. Speaker, Government constructed 10 fishing ports to improve the livelihood

of fishing communities. The Jamestown Fishing Port, which is the last project, is

expected to be completed and commissioned by the end of 2024.

 

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96. Mr. Speaker, construction of an Oil and Gas Services Terminal at the Takoradi

Port, is 77 percent complete. In addition, construction of Phase 1 of the Boankra

Integrated Logistics Terminal (BILT) is about 70 percent complete.

Employment and Labour Relations

97. Mr. Speaker, Government, in collaboration with its Social Partners, has

developed a draft Labour Bill, 2024 to strengthen labour administration and regulation

of the world of work. Key reforms proposed include strengthening labour migration

governance, improving employment coordination, extension of maternity leave, and

introduction of paternity leave, among others. The Labour Law is expected to be

promulgated before the end of year.

98. Government continues to reform and position the Youth Employment Agency

as a facilitator of jobs for the teeming youth. In the first half of the year, about 90,000

beneficiaries were engaged, including 15,000 youth in community policing, 6,000

youth in community health, 1,500 in prison services and 2,100 youth in Garment and

Apparel.

Elections and Civic Education

99. Mr. Speaker, as part of the preparation towards the conduct of the 2024

Presidential and Parliamentary Elections, the Electoral Commission registered voters

in 268 District Offices and 775 electoral areas. The Commission also compiled the

Special Voters list and managed applications for vote transfers and proxy voting.

100. Mr. Speaker, during the first half of 2024, the National Commission for Civic

Education (NCCE) carried out sensitisation and awareness creation for a total number

of 3.1 million people regarding the peaceful conduct of the 2024 General Election.

Security Agencies

101. Mr. Speaker, as part of activities to effectively coordinate security coverage

for the electoral activities, the police service has established the Police Elections

Security Secretariat under the authority of the National Election Security Taskforce.

Public Safety

102. Mr. Speaker, in line with our commitment to upholding the rule of law, we have

constructed a 12-storey state-of-the-art Law House to accommodate the Office of the

Attorney General and Ministry of Justice. This significant project, originally initiated by

the President during his tenure as Attorney General in 2001, was officially

commissioned by him on June 10th, 2024.

103. Mr. Speaker, there has been a consistent reduction in Irregularities reported by

the Auditor-General since 2020. Between 2022 and 2023 irregularities reduced by

32% amounting to savings of about Ghs 5.2 billion cedis.

104. Also due to the policies, guidelines and the PFM measures implemented by MoF,

about 99.26% of all irregularities identified in 2023 by the Auditor-General are

recoverable. MoF is working with the Internal Audit Agency, Internal Audit Units and

Audit Committees to recover these amounts.

 

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GROWTH INITIATIVES

SME Growth and Opportunity Programme

105. Mr. Speaker, this economy has been anchored on the entrepreneurial spirit of

our SMEs over the decades. They employ 80% of our people and contribute about

70% to GDP. However, SMEs continue to have challenges regarding access to finance;

widening skills gaps; limited access to technology and digital infrastructure; and

regulatory constraints.

106. Mr. Speaker, as I indicated earlier, the SME Growth and Opportunity

Programme (SME GO) has been launched to connect SMEs with resources,

expertise, and opportunities. Altogether, we have mobilised about GHS8.2 billion

through DBG, GhanaExim Bank, GEA and other partners for SMEs to grow and increase

competitiveness in regional markets. We will also continue our collaboration with key

institutions such as the Ministries of Finance, Trade and Industry, the Ghana

Commodity Exchange (GCX), Venture Capital Trust Fund, GIRSAL, NEIP, and YEA to

support the SME ecosystem in this new era of SME development.

Agriculture and Aquaculture

107. Mr. Speaker, we prioritised the agricultural sector due to its far-reaching impact

on the economy and livelihoods.

108. To improve our food security, we are implementing the enhanced Planting for

Food and Jobs 2.0. Through this program, we introduced the input credit system and

adopted technology-driven platforms, enabling farmers and value-chain actors to

operate transparently and efficiently.

109. Mr. Speaker, to support the private sector in enhancing fish and aquaculture

production, we have scaled-up the supply of premix fuel since January 2024.

Additionally, we are also partnering with private enterprises and are providing

employment to about 10,000 people to expand and venture further into aquaculture.

 

Economic Enclaves Project

110. Mr. Speaker, Government has remained focused on expanding the Economic

Enclave Projects (EEP) under the GhanaCARES Programme. We secured 50,000 acres

of lands to ensure security of tenure and de-risk agriculture investments, thereby

attracting private sector involvement in the cultivation of rice, maize, soya, poultry,

grains, vegetables, and animal husbandry.

111. At the Kasunya EEP in the Greater Accra Region, Government has taken

significant steps to de-risk private sector operations for the cultivation of rice, including

the:

• Completion of 18 kilometers of feeder roads from Tsopoli Junction (on the main

Accra – Ada Road) to the enclave.

• Extension of 18 kilometers electricity to the enclave;

• Development of a twenty (20)-kilometer irrigation canal for consistent water

supply and year-round farming.

 

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112. Additionally, we have trained about 500 youths on agriculture entrepreneurship

through a US$6.1 million partnership with the MasterCard Foundation. These

investments have resulted in 397.5 tonnes of rice harvested in Phase I of the project.

They are also leveraging approximately US$7 million in climate funds from the World

Food Programme.

113. Mr. Speaker, at Kumawu in the Ashanti Region, we have developed and

allocated 1,000 acres of land to build the largest poultry brooder house and hatchery

in Ghana. Additionally, 600 acres of rice has been harvested and 300 acres of maize

has been cultivated in the first season of production.

114. Mr. Speaker, at Banda in the Oti Region, 950 acres of land has been cleared

and 40 kilometres of access road has been constructed to the farm. Two private sector

actors are ready to start cultivation of yam, potatoes and maize.

Digital Transformation

115. Mr. Speaker, to strengthen the digital skills for our youth under the

 

GhanaCARES programme, a Digital Youth Skills Hub is being constructed on a five-

acre plot at the University of Ghana. Phase I of the project is on course for completion

 

by the end of the year.

Trade and Industry

116. Mr. Speaker, under the Trade and Industry sector, we are committed to

providing targeted support to the pharmaceutical, textiles and garment, as well as the

automotive industries. Our efforts aim to attract new investments, expand job creation,

and enhance value addition. Under our 1D1F flagship initiative, we have supported

321 factories across 142 districts nationwide, creating jobs for about 170,000

Ghanaians.

117. Mr. Speaker, guided by the Strategic Anchor Industries (SAIs) framework, 13

vehicle assembly plants has been established and 4,700 vehicles produced locally. We

aim to penetrate the sub-regional market through the AfCFTA framework and pursue

local assembly of Electric Vehicles (EVs) in line with our Electric Vehicle Policy.

Tourism

118. Mr. Speaker, Ghana is being positioned as an internationally competitive

tourism destination. Tourist arrivals have increased from about 500,000 in 2023 to

almost 600,000 in the first half of 2024, increasing receipts to about US$1.8 billion

compared to US$1.5 billion over same period last year.

119. To complement this progress, we have enhanced tourism infrastructure,

marketing, supply-chain links, through the redevelopment of key tourist sites such as

Aburi Gardens, Yaa Asantewaa mausoleum, the museum at Ejisu, and the Pikworo

Slave camp.

Sports Development

120. Mr. Speaker, we have made significant progress in enhancing sports

infrastructure, talent development, and ensuring that our athletes have the resources

they need to excel.

 

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121. Ghana successfully hosted the 13th African Games from 4th to 23rd March 2024

in Accra at the new international standard multi-complex sports facility at Borteyman,

and the newly commissioned University of Ghana Sports Stadium. We placed sixth on

the medals table with a total of 69 medals: 19 gold, 29 silver, and 21 bronze. This is

Ghana's best performance at an international multi-sport event, so far.

122. Mr. Speaker, the Black Challenge of Ghana also participated and won the

trophy in the 2024 African Amputee Football Cup of Nations tournament hosted and

organised in Egypt. This win secured the team a spot at the 2026 Amputee World Cup

Tournament.

SOCIAL INTERVENTIONS

123 Government continued to implement various social intervention programmes to

protect the poor and vulnerable, alleviate poverty, improve the country’s human

development indices.

Education (Free SHS/TVET Programme)

124. Mr. Speaker, there is empirical evidence that education is the great leveller that

improves opportunities for any child along the social stratification. As UNICEF has

already pointed out, “Education is a key social and cultural right and plays an important

role in reducing poverty and child labour. Furthermore, education promotes

democracy, peace, tolerance, development and economic growth.”

125. Convinced about these objectives, Government has, over the last 8 years,

prioritised education. This is to ensure that over time, skills will be improved to impact

productivity, grow the economy and improve living standards.

126. Mr. Speaker, in 2008, the President, then the flagbearer of the New Patriotic

Party, announced the policy of Free Senior High School. For 8 years, he stayed on that

course. On 2nd March 2017, Government allocated GH¢400 million to implement

Free SHS. We also indicated that our oil resources will fund the programme, as the

President believes that every Ghanaian child must benefit from the oil resources.

127. The impact of the programme is evident. To date, a total of over GH¢ 9.9 billion

has been spent on the programme and a cumulative total of 5.7 million young people

have benefitted from this initiative, many of whom may not have had this opportunity.

128. Mr. Speaker, to complement this effort, we have provided facilities under TVET

to empower our young people with employable skills; with 168,000 students enrolled

in the 2023-2024 year. Additionally, we are constructing 10 STEM Schools and 10

STEM Centres across the country, and we have distributed 900,000 tablets for

secondary school students. Quality education has been given considerable focus. The

performance of the students at WASSCE in 2023 is also the best since 2015.

Capitation Grant

129. Mr. Speaker, to ease the financial burden on parents and guardians of public

basic school pupils, Government disbursed about GH¢38 million as Capitation Grant

for the first half of 2024 to ensure schools have adequate resources to provide quality

education. Additionally, funds have been released for the payment of feeding grants

 

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to all public Special Schools (Institutions for the Handicapped) for the 2024 academic

year, thereby supporting vulnerable students.

130. Mr. Speaker, it is worth noting that the capitation grant has increased from

GH¢5.00 in 2016 to GH¢15.00 in 2024.

Ghana School Feeding Programme

131. Mr. Speaker, the Ghana School Feeding Programme commenced in 2006/2007

with 1,950 beneficiaries. Over the years, there has been considerable growth of the

Programme from 1.6 million beneficiaries in 2016 to over 3.8 million beneficiaries in

2023 and is currently in the region of 4 million beneficiaries as of June 2024. In one

year, we have added over 200,000 children.

132. Mr. Speaker, an amount of over GH¢662 million was paid to caterers as at June

2024. The Programme continues to provide employment for over 34,000 caterers and

cooks, especially women to generate income to enable them to take care of their

families. The Programme has also created a ready market for local farmers thereby

boosting the local economy.

Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty

133. Mr. Speaker, to protect the real value of the benefits for our most vulnerable

households, Government has in the last two years increased the LEAP grant by 200%

from GH¢64.00 in 2022 to GH¢256.00 in 2024; meaning that we have doubled the

grant every year for the last two years. This measure ensures that the

programme’s outcomes are effectively achieved. Under the enhanced LEAP, the

number of beneficiary households has increased from 212,917 in 2016 to 324,073 in

2024.

Health Service Delivery

134. Mr. Speaker, as part of Government's digitalisation agenda, the e-Health project

is progressing steadily with concentration on health centres and polyclinics, this year.

As of June 2024, a total of 49 polyclinics and 144 health centres have been connected,

 

enhancing access to patient data at the point of care, claims management, and real-

time bio-surveillance data. This has significantly strengthened the country's health

 

delivery system.

135. Mr. Speaker, the following projects were completed between January and June

2024:

• the Urology and Nephrology Centre of Excellence at the Korle Bu Teaching

Hospital;

• District Hospitals at Kumawu and Fomena; and

• CHPS Compounds at Aboabo, Debiso, Nkroful Denkyira, Ananekrom and

Kwanyarko.

National Health Insurance Scheme

136. Mr. Speaker, as part of Government’s efforts to increase access to health

service, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) reviewed the benefit package

 

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to include childhood cancers, prostate cancer, mental health care, annual health check,

dialysis services and care for sickle cell patients.

137. Mr. Speaker, by the end of 2024, the NHIS intends to increase enrolment of

active members from 14.5 million representing 44.3 percent coverage, to 20.8 million

representing 63.5 percent of the total population. NHIS will also intensify sensitisation

on the electronic enrolment platforms by introducing cashless payments, integration

with GIFMIS Platform, eReceipts, and ePayments.

Nursing and Teacher Trainee Allowances

138. Mr. Speaker, Government continues to honour the payment of Trainee

Allowances, a total amount of GH¢219 million was paid as allowance to 104,000

nursing trainees from January to June 2024. Similarly, a total amount of GH¢216

million has been released as allowance to 67,000 teacher trainees for the 2023/2024

academic year.

Water Resources and Sanitation

139. Mr. Speaker, Government initiated the implementation of various activities

towards achieving effective management and utilisation of water resources as well as

improving the general water quality.

140. Mr. Speaker, works progressed steadily under the “Water for All” agenda. The

following projects are completed:

• Ejura Water System;

• Wulensi Water System; and

• Bole Water Systems.

141. The following are at various stages of completion:

• Wenchi Water Supply Project;

• Sekondi-Takoradi Water Supply Project;

• Keta Water Supply Project;

• Yendi Water Supply Project;

• Tamale Water Supply Project;

• Damongo Water Supply Project;

• Sunyani Water Supply Project; and

• Techiman Water Supply Project.

142. Government is committed to increasing access to improved sanitation and

water supply in Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions. A total of about 40,000 and 24,000

household sanitation facilities were provided in the GAMA and GKMA, respectively

benefiting over 400,000 people.

Works and Housing Development

143. Mr Speaker, our people are burdened with long commutes and mounting stress

due to the lack of decent and conveniently located housing. Government in partnership

with private developers and the Banks is looking at building high-rise, reasonably

priced accommodations within the cities of Accra and Kumasi. In the coming weeks,

the Minister for Works and Housing will present the full housing reform package with

the Private sector at its core.

 

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144. Mr. Speaker, Government during the first half of the year continued to

implement the National Rental Assistance Scheme, which has benefited 2,074

individuals to date.

145. Mr. Speaker, under the National Flood Control Programme, over 1,000

kilometers of drains have been newly constructed, rechanneled, and maintained

nationwide to reduce the impact of the perennial devastating floods. In addition,

preparatory activities towards the construction of houses for households affected by

the controlled spillage of the Akosombo Dam were completed following extensive

engagement with stakeholders.

 

CONCLUSION

146. Mr. Speaker, we stand at the midpoint of 2024, with a strong economic

performance and a bright future. This Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review confirms our

unwavering commitment to fiscal consolidation, economic growth and protecting the

vulnerable in our nation.

147. Today, I have outlined the remarkable progress we have made in fiscal

consolidation. Our economy is rebounding, evidenced by the stability we have

demonstrated. Our progress enables us to be confident about the future.

148. This is the result of effective implementation of the policies and programmes

outlined in the 2024 Budget. Together, we have successfully navigated challenges in

the last seven months.

• We continue to stay the course and achieve successes with the IMF-ECF

programme;

• We have concluded the external debt restructuring with the OCC, Eurobond

Holders and key energy sector IPPs;

• We have kept our promise to DDEP bondholders with coupon payments;

• We have invested in our infrastructure, our people, and our future; and

• We have seized this opportunity to commence reforms in public financial

management, financial sector and State Owned Enterprises.

149. More importantly, we are rebuilding trust, regaining policy credibility, restoring

confidence in the economy and raising hope for our businesses and families. We are

proving that quick recovery is possible. We are proving that growth with fiscal

consolidation is possible..

150. Mr. Speaker, this mindset of possibility is critical. That is what transforms

individuals, families, communities, businesses, and nations. It has been the same

mindset that has guided our actions, as a Government, since 2017.

151. Mr. Speaker, it took a possibility mindset to expand and improve existing

strategic social interventions to cater for the vulnerable in our society. That possibility

mindset underpinned how we:

 

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• Invested in the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) to increase

beneficiaries from about 1.6million in 2016 to about 3.8million beneficiaries this

year;

• Increased spending on LEAP from GH¢49 million in 2016 to GH¢423 million

today to support 350,000 households; compared with 212,000 households in

2016;

• Increased spending on the NHIS from GH¢1.1 billion in 2016 to GH¢6.5 billion

in 2024; and through digitisation, increased active membership from 10.8

million in 2018 to over 17 million people;

• Increased the capitation grant per child from GH¢5.00 in 2016 to GH¢15.00

in 2024;

• Increased the share of the DACF to persons with disabilities by 50 percent.

• doubled the number of student loan recipients, from 30,000 on average per

year before 2022) to 58,000 per year currently, by removing the guarantor

policy under the Student Loan Trust Fund;

152. Mr. Speaker, this critical mindset of possibilities, was our guide when we:

 

• Introduced the Free SHS programme which has increased total enrolment year-

on-year from about 800,000 in the 2016/2017 academic year to 1.4 million in

 

the 2023/2024 academic year;

• Introduced the National Rental Assistance Scheme to assist people with rent

advance, which has benefited over2,000 people have benefited so far.

• Introduced a medical drone delivery service and on-boarded over 2,700 health

facilities;

• Introduced Mobile Money Interoperability (MMI), which has led to Ghana

achieving 95 percent access to financial inclusion;

• Introduced the Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Project (IPEP) which

delivered 1,609 completed projects in all 275 Constituencies.

• Introduced the Zongo Development Fund and constructed over 200

infrastructure projects in Zongo communities;

• Introduced the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP)

to support over 10,000 beneficiaries;

• Introduced the paperless system at the ports and digitalized the operations of

the DVLA;

• Introduced the 1D1F initiative to diversify our economy. To-date, 321 1D1F

projects are at various stages of completion, with 169 are fully functional and

providing over 170,000 direct and indirect jobs;

• Introduced the Planting for Food and Jobs to provide critical inputs and improve

food security;

 

24

 

• Instituted the “Year of Return” and “Beyond the Return,” and the 'December in

GH' initiative to promote tourism;

• Created six (6) new regions to deepen decentralisation and participatory

development

153. Mr. Speaker, that mindset of possibilities has enabled us to:

• Keep the lights in the past seven years;

• Clear all accumulated BTAs up to 2022;

• Constructing 120 courts, with 80 completed, and 150 bungalows for the

Judiciary;

• Restore Teacher and Nurses training allowances that were cancelled.

• Protect the deposits of 4.6 million Ghanaians by saving the banking system

from collapse.

• Absorb examination fees for all students for BECE and WASSCE examinations;

• Guarantee access to the critical drug for sickle cell patients in Ghana. This is

the first of such initiative in Africa;

• Network and digitalize the records of all teaching, regional and district hospitals

in Ghana to ensure that referrals are possible without the patient’s folder being

physically transported;

• Implement the motor insurance database to enable verification ofinsurance

status on mobile phone;

• Passed the Right to Information law;

• Distribute 20,000 LPG cookstoves and about 430,000 Gyapa stoves to promote

clean cooking;

154. Mr. Speaker, the same mindset of possibilities was present when we faced

COVID in 2020. We demonstrated compassion to ensure that we:

• Paid public sector workers full wages even when revenues sharply declined;

• Provided free water to all households for a whole year;

• Provided free electricity to lifeline consumers and a 50 percent discount to other

consumers for a whole year. It is important to note that between 2009 and

2016, the average annual increase in end-user electricity tariffs was 50 percent

per year! Between 2017 and 2023, the average annual increase was 11.1

percent;

• Commenced ‘Agenda 111’ health infrastructure projects;

• Rolled-out the GH¢750 million CAP-BuSS Programme to directly Support Micro,

Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs);

• Established a GH¢2 billion Guarantee Facility to support all large enterprises

and for job retention;

 

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• Provided cooked meals to 27m vulnerable persons and worked with Faith-Based

Organisations to distribute dry food packages to 470,000 families;

156. Mr. Speaker, we also have demonstrated what this mindset of possibilities can

achieve in the infrastructure space. We:

• increased the road network from 78,000km to nearly 100,000km. We have

invested significantly in road network expansion and improvement, including

the construction of over 2,000km of asphaltic overlay as well as the

rehabilitation and maintenance of about 11,674km of roads;

• Completed the Tamale Interchange, Pokuase Interchange, Tema Motorway

Interchange. Obetsebi, Flower Pot interchanges and a few others are under

construction;

• completed and commissioned Prempeh I International Airport, Yakubu Tali

International Airport in Tamale, Phase 1 of the Sunyani Airport rehabilitation;

• restored the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park;

• constructed two (2) major fishing harbors in Elmina and James Town in Accra;

• Completed the iconic Tema-Mpakadan railway;

• initiated or overseen the construction/rehabilitation of Achimota-Nsawam,

Accra-Tema, Kojokrom-Tarkwa, Kojokrom – Manso railway.

• completed six (6) abandoned “Euroget” health sector projects, and three (3)

other stalled projects we inherited, including Upper West Regional Hospital, Ga

East Municipal Hospital (Kwabenya), Tain District Hospital (Nsawkaw), Tepa

Municipal Hospital (Tepa), Twifo-Praso District Hospital, Asante Akim Central

District Hospital (Konongo), Fomena Hospital, Bekwai Hospital, and Kumawu

Hospital;

• constructed Sea Defense Projects to protect communities in Komenda, Ningo

Prampram, Axim, Elmina Anomabo, Keta.

• Constructing Forward Operating Bases to enable the Armed Forces to protect

the territorial integrity of our land;

• Constructed 80,000-metric-ton warehouses under One District One Warehouse

Initiative;

• constructed about 400 out of the 560 small earth dams in the 5 northern

regions in fulfilment of the “One Village, One Dam” promise;

• constructed more that 800 sanitation facilities. As a result, we have increased

the proportion of the population with access to toilet facilities from 33% in 2016

to 80.8%. This has resulted in a virtual elimination of cholera in Ghana.

• completed the University of Ghana Stadium in Legon, built multi-sports

facilities at Borteyman for the African Games, as well as increased public

astroturf in Ghana from 3 in 2016 to over 150 now;

 

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• extended more rural telephony network by increasing from 78 sites in 2016 to

1008 sites today;

• constructed more public libraries and have increased the total number of public

libraries from 61 in 2017 to 115 by 2023;

• added 134.1 MW of renewable energy to our energy mix, from a low of 37.7 in

2016 to 171.8 MW;

157. Mr. Speaker, we have used this critical mindset of possibilities to reposition our

country for the future. Today, we are the proud host of the AfCFTA Secretariat and

the Climate Vulnerable Forum Secretariat. In addition, we demonstrated our can-do

spirit when we hosted the 13th African Games, the AfDB Annual General Meetings,

Afreximbank Annual General Meetings, and just last weekend, the 50th Anniversary

of BADEA and the AU Summit. Clearly, we have become the destination of choice for

international conferences.

158. Mr. Speaker, we have also become a regional leader in digitalization and

preparing our citizens for the 4th Industrial Revolution.

159. Mr. Speaker, these investments are historic and unprecedented. They make a

significant difference in our lives as a nation. To achieve the core objective of economic

transformation, we must keep at it.

160. Mr. Speaker, we must complete this together. We will continue to:

• Prudently manage public finances and protect the vulnerable;

• support enterprises through our SME GO programme;

• Invest in agriculture to impact inflation, address food imports and preserve

forex;

• Invest in Roads that advance trade integration and productivity;

• Improve housing delivery and optimise land use; and

• Promote the digitalisation drive to improve service delivery;

 

161. Mr. Speaker, we must do these for the sake of the market women who promote

trade. We must do these for the future of school children and young graduates. We

must do this to support working parents to build their families. We must do this to

enable our businesses set-up and step-out to take advantage of AfCFTA. We must do

this to protect and care for widows, aged, and the disadvantaged.

162. Mr. Speaker, we are using this same mindset of possibilities to confront the

economic challenges we have faced. Already, we are seeing results. In this Mid-Year

Budget, we are not seeking additional resources. Rather, we are proposing to reduce

appropriation to GHS 237,362,141,676.45. Our progress has informed our

proposal to reinstate the fiscal rules on the 5 percent deficit threshold, which we

suspended in 2020, in 2025.

 

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163. Let us continue this path, with hope and the unwavering belief that together,

we can achieve greatness. We are building a Ghana that is more inclusive, more

sustainable and more transformed. Let us rise to the challenge, let us work together,

and let us build a future that is worthy of our highest aspirations.

164. Mr. Speaker, as I conclude, I want to express immense gratitude to Allah for

his grace, mercy and favour. He has continued to be generous to me, my Ministry and

our Nation. Even as one of your own, I do not take for granted the support this House

continues to give us.

165. I want to also extend a special appreciation to the good people of Karaga

Constituency. I know that their overwhelming support has been vital in serving our

country and our constituency.

166. Right Honourable Speaker, let me once again express my sincere appreciation

for the opportunity to present the 2024 Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review to this august

House.

167. Thank you and may the almighty Allah bless us all, bless our homeland Ghana

and make us great and strong.