BUDGET: Over 720 billion allocated to enhance governance

The government would this year spend 720.6 billion cedis on various programmes in the Judiciary and the security services to promote public safety and good governance.

Finance Minister Yaw Osafo-Maafo, who announced this on Thursday when he presented the 2002 budget, said 100 new attorneys would be recruited for the Attorney- General's Office over the next three years while 1,000 new police personnel would be enlisted.

The Ghana Prisons Service would also get 300 new personnel. Mr Osafo-Maafo said the Police Service would get 400 vehicles and have its communication system upgraded.

More fast track courts would also be established to strengthen the Judicial Service. For the Ghana Armed Forces, its accommodation facilities for staff would be expanded, the Minister said.