2025 Budget: Keep the Covid levy – Dr Owusu Sarkodie tells Finance Minister

The Finance Minister has announced plans to abolish the COVID-19 Levy by the end of 2025, citing high VAT rates. However, Dr. Adu Owusu Sarkodie, an economics lecturer at the University of Ghana, believes the levy should be retained for health infrastructure.

The 2025 budget aims to fulfill campaign promises, including the Women’s Development Bank (WDB) with GH¢51.3 million in seed funding to support women entrepreneurs. Other initiatives include GH¢292.4 million for free sanitary pads for students and increased funding for LEAP and the School Feeding Programme.

Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson stressed the need for national unity, acknowledging economic challenges such as inflation and high taxes. President Mahama has committed to fiscal discipline by reducing government spending and cutting ministerial positions.