Parliament has approved GHS78.7 billion for government’s expenditure for the 2019 financial year.
Out of this amount, an estimated GHS18 billion will go into interest payments of existing loans, GHS 22.8 billion has been earmarked for compensation of employees and GHS 1.6 billion allocated for the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), among others.
It was contained in the Appropriation Bill 2018, which was dealt with through a certificate of emergency late Saturday, 22 December 2018, before the House rose for the Christmas break.
The approval of the Appropriation Bill will enable the government to withdraw money from the Consolidated Fund and other funds during the financial year, commencing 1 January 2019 and ending 31 December 2019 for the purpose of meeting the government’s expenditures.
Debating the bill, Chairman of the Finance Committee, Dr Mark Assibey Yeboah said the approval will enable the government to fulfil its numerous electoral promises.
