WILL THE BUDGET BE THE BUDGET FOR ALL OR A BUDGET FOR FEW?

THE BUDGET

The minister of the Finance will present budget statement on behalf of the president of the republic of Ghana.

The biggest question on the mind of most Ghanaian is
“WILL THE BUDGET BE THE BUDGET FOR ALL OR A BUDGET FOR FEW?

Almost every Ghanaian is eager to hear what lies ahead. This is not just another budget but the first budget for the return of the NDC that campaigned on resetting Ghana.

It is an opportunity to tell Ghanaians how the country’s economy will be reset and how the manifesto promises will be fulfilled in terms of the Resetting Ghana, creating Jobs, enhancing prosperity, and ensuring good governance.

This budget is an opportunity to prove that the government of the day is committed to developing Ghana for all, not just a select few.

Will this budget reflect the aspirations of people from all corners of the country, including my homes in Upper West(Patrilineal) & Savannah(Matrilineal) Or will it focus only on the already developed regions?

There are pressing questions on my mind and perhaps in the minds of my people, and I hope this budget will provide clear answers.

1. Will the Taxes be cancelled as it was promised?

Ghanaians, especially in rural communities like mine bought into the idea of unnecessary tax elimination presented by the NDC in its manifesto.

These taxes was or is described as excessive taxation. The NDC manifesto on page 3 promised to remove taxes such as the E-Levy

COVID-19 levy

The Youth Tax (10% tax on betting winnings)

The emissions levy

import duties on industrial and agricultural equipment.

These taxes NDC claimed have made life difficult, increasing the cost of doing business and making even basic transactions expensive.

But what specific measures will be put in place to replace these revenue streams that will be lost as a result of the cancellation?

How will the government ensure that the removal of these taxes does not create budget shortfalls that could affect development projects?

Will rural communities like mine benefit directly from these tax cuts, or will the focus remain on urban areas?

2. How Will the Government Address Our Growing Debt and Economic Stability?

Ghana’s debt crisis is a major concern, and we all know how it has affected livelihoods.

With our economy having defaulted on its debt obligations, we are eager to hear how the current government intends to stabilize our financial standing.

Page 6 of the NDC manifesto proposed re-engaging the IMF, reviving the Sinking Fund, and establishing an Independent Fiscal Council to enforce discipline in government spending.

But how different will this new debt strategy be from previous attempts? Will it truly prioritize national development, or will it just be another round of borrowing that leaves future generations in debt? How will ordinary citizens in Wa and Busunu benefit from this improved economic stability strategy?

3. THE GREAT 24-Hour ECONOMY POLICY

What Will the 24-Hour Economy Mean for Rural Communities Like Wa and Busunu?

The 24-hour economy policy is one of the most talked-about initiatives in the manifesto in page 22.

It promises to help create jobs by encouraging businesses and public institutions to operate in three shifts. But in communities like mine where sometimes access to reliable electricity and transportation is still a challenge, how beneficial is this policy to these communities of mine?

Will this initiative be designed to benefit only urban centers, or will measures be put in place to ensure its success in rural areas?

How does the government plan to address the infrastructural gaps that make round-the-clock business operations nearly impossible in many parts of my Regions?

4. AGRICULTURE
   Will Our Farmers Get the Support They Deserve?

Agriculture remains the backbone of our economy, yet farmers in UPPER WEST, SAVANNA and other Regions rural areas still struggle with access to credit, modern farming tools, and market opportunities.

The 2024 NDC manifesto outlines ambitious plans such as the Feed Ghana Programme, the establishment of Farmer Service Centres, and the creation of Agro-Industrial Zones on page 39 and 45.

But how soon will these programs be implemented? Will they be accessible to small-scale farmers in remote areas, or will they primarily benefit large commercial farms? How will the government ensure that funds allocated for these projects are used efficiently and do not get lost in bureaucracy?

How will Agricultural Financing be improved to enable the Small Scale-holder Farmers and Women in Agriculture have access to?

5. The Big Push Infrastructure Plan
   Will the big push infrastructure plan reach my people in Upper West and Savannah?

For some years now infrastructure development in these regions has lucked behind as compared to other regions.

The previous government has done us less good in that regards but there is still more room for improvement. Roads in Wa and other parts of the regions where I come from still remain in poor condition, making it difficult for farmers to transport their produce and for businesses to thrive.

The NDC 2024 manifesto promised massive investments in roads, housing, water, and energy.

But how many of these projects will be directed to underdeveloped regions like ours?

Access to Portable Drinking Water has been my people’s challenge especially in the 5 Northern regions, will the government end the TAMALE & DAMONGO water crisis?

Will we see a well-constructed road network connecting our communities, or will these promises remain on paper?

Will the government prioritize local contractors to ensure jobs remain within our communities?

6. HEALTH AND HEALTHCARE
   How Will This Budget Improve Healthcare and Social Services?

Our health system is in dire need of improvement. Many people in my regions still travel long distances to access basic medical care.

The 2024 winning manifesto outlined it plans to expand the NHIS, improve mental health services, and invest in local pharmaceutical production.

But when will we see new hospitals and clinics in our Region?

When will the Agenda 111 hospital at Daboya and Kpalbe in the North Gonja and North East Gonja District respectively be completed?

Will healthcare workers in rural areas receive better incentives to stay and serve our communities?

How will the government address the challenges facing ambulance services in remote areas?

7. EDUCATION & THE DIGITAL WORLD
   Will Our Youth Get Access to Quality Education and Digital Jobs?

Education remains a major concern for us in the 5 N/Rs.

Many schools lack proper infrastructure and digital learning remains a dream for most students in our communities yet to be fulfilled.

Hmmmmm the NDC has promised to improve basic education, expand technical and vocational training, and establish digital training centers in pages 91, 94 and 125 of the manifesto. But when will these policies move from planning to implementation?

Will children in our rural areas finally have the same learning opportunities as those in the cities?

How will the government ensure that students in these regions of the north are not left behind in the digital revolution?

As a nationalist and a student of IT, I am very much interested in how the government seeks to leverage on Digitalization to improve on education and ensure the youth are digitally armed and prepared for the digital revolution.

I, along with many others from these regions will be listening closely.

We hope that this budget will be one of real action, not just promises.

Signed

ALHAJI LIMUNA AMINU MUSAH PELPUO
(CITIZEN OF THE NORTH)

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