2020 budget: Our programs have saved Ghanaians GHC1.2 billion – Ofori-Atta

Government is patting itself at the back for saving Ghanaians of GHC1.2 billion through the introduction of various social interventions and initiatives since it assumed office in January 2017.

Delivering the 2020 Budget statement in Parliament on Wednesday, the Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori Atta disclosed that government’s flagship program, Free SHS policy has saved parents a total of 1.8 billion cedis over the last three years.

He said, the distribution of subsidized fertilizers, a module under the Planting for Food and Jobs policy has also saved farmers a total of 844 million cedis and a total of 357 million cedis has been paid to teacher trainees as allowances over the last three years.

According to him, nursing trainees have also been paid an amount of 336 million cedis in the form of allowances within the last three years while subsidies on BECE registration fees has saved parents of 65 million cedis over the last two years.

Mr. Ofori Atta further mentioned that the electricity tariffs reductions effected by the PURC effective March 15, 2018 resulted in savings of 1.8billion cedis for a year for residential and non-residential customers which is money in the pockets of many Ghanaians.

“The over 350,000 jobs that have been created in the public sector including the 100,000 NABCO graduates has provided total earnings to them of 2.9billion cedis and that is money in their pockets” he added.