In a surprising move, the Mahama administration has maintained the teacher and nursing trainees allowance policy initiated by the previous New Patriotic Party, NPP government.
The Minister for Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson announced the decision during the 2025 budget presentation, stating that the government will allocate GH¢203 million for the payment of teacher trainee allowances and GH¢480 million for the payment of nursing trainee allowances.
“We will continue to support our teachers and nurses, who are the backbone of our education and healthcare systems,” Ato Forson said.
Mahama had previously indicated that over his dead body that he would pay trainee allowances.
“These allowances will help to motivate and retain our trainees, ensuring that they receive the necessary support to excel in their careers.”
The decision to maintain the allowance policy is a significant departure from the usual practice of new governments scrapping policies initiated by their predecessors.
The Mahama administration’s commitment to continuing this policy demonstrates their dedication to supporting the education and healthcare sectors.
In addition to maintaining the teachers and nurses allowance policy, the government has also allocated significant funds to various sectors, including education, healthcare, and infrastructure development.
Some of the notable allocations include:
– GH¢13.85 billion for the Big Push Programme
– GH¢499.8 million for the No-Academic-Fee policy for first-year students in public tertiary institutions
– GH¢292.4 million for the distribution of free sanitary pads to female students in primary and secondary schools
– GH¢3.5 billion for the free secondary education program
– GH¢564.6 million for the comprehensive provision of free curricula-based textbooks
– GH¢1.788 billion for the School Feeding Programme
– GH¢145.5 million for the Capitation Grant
– GH¢9.93 billion for the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS)
– GH¢2.81 billion for the Ghana Road Fund
– GH¢7.51 billion for the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF)
– GH¢1.5 billion for Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda (AETA)
– GH¢51.3 million as seed fund for the establishment of the Women’s Development Bank
– GH¢300 million for the National Apprenticeship Programme
– GH¢100 million for the ‘Adwumawura’ Programme
– GH¢100 million for the National Coders Programme
The government’s commitment to investing in critical sectors is expected to have a positive impact on the economy and improve the lives of Ghanaians.
-BY Daniel Bampoe
