The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) expresses doubt regarding the government's assurance that social intervention initiatives will be protected despite the commencement of the IMF bailout program.
During a joint press conference with the IMF on Thursday, May 18, the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, emphasized that the government has implemented specific measures to strengthen social protection programs and has allocated additional resources to key initiatives.
One notable development highlighted by the Finance Minister is the increased resource envelope for the school feeding program.
In response to the Finance Minister's comments, the General Secretary of GNAT, Thomas Musah, points out a contradiction with what was stated in the 2023 budget statement.
Musah refers to paragraph 223 of the budget statement, which indicates that relevant recommendations from the ongoing review of government flagship programs will be implemented while the review is completed.
Musah questions the basis on which the Finance Minister made the assurances and calls for clarity on whether the programs will be reviewed downwards or upwards.
The General Secretary of GNAT highlights issues such as the Capitation Grant and school feeding program arrears, urging a paradigm shift to address these longstanding concerns.
The Finance Minister reiterates the government's commitment to protecting the vulnerable and assures that there is no need for alarm.
He emphasizes that President Nana Addo Dankwak Akufo-Addo has made it clear that the protection of vulnerable groups will not be compromised.
Stéphane Roudet, the IMF Mission Chief for Ghana, acknowledges the importance of social protection programs in the country's economic framework.
Roudet emphasizes that creating and strengthening such initiatives is a key objective of the IMF collaboration.
