In his presentation of the 2025 Budget Statement to Parliament on March 11, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson emphasized the government’s commitment to enhancing social protection and bolstering local development. With a focus on key programs, the minister outlined increased funding and new reforms aimed at supporting vulnerable populations and strengthening local economies across the country.
Dr. Forson revealed that the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) program would see a substantial increase, with a 30.8% rise in the budget from GH¢728.8 million to GH¢953.5 million. As a result, the number of households benefiting from the program is expected to increase from 350,000 to 400,000 by July 2025. This move is part of the government’s broader effort to tackle poverty and expand its safety net.
In addition, Dr. Forson highlighted the government’s commitment to the School Feeding Programme, which will receive a 33% increase in funding.
This will allow for a rise in both the overall budget and the per pupil feeding cost, ensuring more children benefit from this essential initiative. The Capitation Grant, which aids basic education, will also see a remarkable 73.2% increase, moving from GH¢84 million to GH¢145.5 million.
The Finance Minister also pointed out that infrastructure development remains a priority for the administration. With a focus on road maintenance, the government has set aside GH¢2.81 billion for the Road Fund in 2025, marking a 155.5% increase over the previous year’s allocation of GH¢1.1 billion. This funding will ensure critical road maintenance projects continue to progress across the country.
Further highlighting the government’s dedication to decentralization, Dr. Forson disclosed that GH¢7.51 billion has been allocated to the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF).
This fund aims to ensure that at least 80% of the resources are directly channeled to the district assemblies, empowering local governments to drive economic growth in their respective areas. Dr. Forson criticized the previous practice of centralizing much of the DACF, which hindered local development.
With these strategic measures, the government is positioning itself to improve the lives of its citizens through expanded social services, better infrastructure, and effective decentralization.
By prioritizing social protection and local governance, the 2025 budget reflects the administration’s focus on creating a more equitable and prosperous future for all Ghanaians.
