Budget Falls Short on Education

Mr Kosi Kedem, NDC MP for Hohoe South on Wednesday said the 2001 budget did not provide adequate resources for education.

The budget did not cater for the development of the University for Development Studies [UDS], Sunyani and Koforidua Polytechnics, which, he said, are new institutions grappling with problems.

Mr Kedem was contributing to the debate on the financial policy of the government presented to the House on March 9.

The budget also completely ignored distance- education, non-formal education and improvement of library facilities in the country.

He said nothing has been said as to how to fund the educational sector, take care of the 1.6 million adult illiterates and was silent on new ideas to create the positive change Ghanaians have been made to believe in.

Mr Stephen Balado Manu, MP Ahafo-Ano South on point of order said the budget really addressed the problems facing the UDS and that there is the need for members to really read the budget statement in full before misleading the House.

Mr Kedem, however, countered that more emphasis and adequate provisions should have been given to the UDS since the 100 million cedis provided for in the budget is inadequate to meet the needs of the university.

He said the budget has been described by many as a "neo-colonialist budget" and it is over loaded with measures against the interest of workers, drivers and the self-employed.

"Is this the reward to Ghanaians for voting the NPP into power? The unbearable taxes are clear for all to see".

Mr Kedem said the greatest damage to the country is the NPP government's decision to join the Highly Indebted Poor Countries [HIPC] initiative.

"It is not too late for the government to do a favour to the country by rejecting it since it is clear that Ghanaians would not derive any benefits from joining it."

Mr Edward Salia, NDC Jirapa, said it was due to the inexperience of the NPP government that resulted in the issue of an interim budget which was poorly done.

Following interruptions from the Majority side, the Speaker, Mr Peter Ala Adjetey told members that there should be tolerance of opinions, adding, "whilst we have our rights to intervene, we must try to be objective and not waste time with point of orders. Point of orders should be made only when it is necessary and relevant".

Mr Salia described the budget as without vision, shallow and not addressing the aspirations of Ghanaians, saying, "Ghanaians will regret the choice they made for electing the NPP into power".

Mr Salia called on the NPP government to acknowledge and recognise what the NDC government had done over the past years.