GH¢1.68bn To Fight Poverty

The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu says government has allocated GH¢1.68 billion for poverty reduction this year.

The amount constitutes 31 percent of total government expenditure and covers basic education, primary health care, agriculture, and provision of rural water and electrification projects.

This was contained in a speech read for the minister at the launch of "Nkabom Journey for Development Programme”, a youth agenda and development-oriented newspaper in Tema by the Abibiman Foundation.

Mr Baah-Wiredu said government will continuously monitor the disbursement of grants to ensure the monies are used for the intended purpose.

The launch of the newspaper was the foundation's contribution towards enabling young people participate in the nation's development agenda.

The Abibiman Foundation has for the past eight years been working on gender, environment, health, youth and millennium development issues.

The Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, Kwabena Ofosuhene explained that active involvement of the youth in governance would provide a platform to influence policy and decision making.

Representatives from the Electoral Commission and the National Commission for Civic Education lauded the foundation for implementing the programme to promote civic responsibility.