A recent X post by user has ignited widespread debate over Ghana’s 2025 budget allocations, particularly the stark contrast between the GH¢2 million allocated to the Ghana Fire Service and the GH¢2.7 billion set aside for the Office of the President. The post, which has garnered significant attention, also takes aim at the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), with the user labeling it an "evil party" and questioning the wisdom of its leadership under President John Dramani Mahama.
Budget Disparities Fuel Public Frustration
The image shared in the X post highlights several budget allocations for 2025, revealing what many Ghanaians see as misplaced priorities. While the Ghana Fire Service, a critical public safety institution, is allocated a mere GH¢2 million, the Office of the President receives GH¢2.7 billion. Additionally, state media operations are budgeted at GH¢78 million, and the Controller and Accountant General’s Department gets GH¢248 million. These figures have sparked outrage among citizens who argue that essential services like firefighting are being underfunded while administrative and media sectors receive disproportionately large sums.
The 2025 budget, presented by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson on March 11, totals GH¢290 billion ($19 billion), with the government claiming it aims to "reset the country’s economy" after alleged mismanagement by the previous administration. However, critics, including the X user, argue that the budget fails to address the needs of ordinary Ghanaians, particularly in critical areas like public safety.
In response to the backlash, the government has clarified that the GH¢2.7 billion allocated to the Office of the President is primarily for public sector salaries and not for the president’s personal expenses. Despite this explanation, public sentiment remains heated, with many questioning why the fire service, which struggles with inadequate equipment and staffing, is receiving such a small fraction of the budget.
Political Context: NDC Under Fire
The X post directly criticizes the NDC, a social democratic party that returned to power in January 2025 with John Dramani Mahama as president. Mahama, who previously served as president from 2012 to 2017, has faced scrutiny in the past, including a 2016 investigation by the Ghanaian Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) that found he contravened the nation’s gift policy by accepting a $100,000 Ford Expedition from a contractor. His administration’s handling of the 2025 budget has reignited accusations of mismanagement and favoritism.
The NDC, founded by Jerry Rawlings in 1992, has historically positioned itself as a party of "unity, stability, and development." However, the X user’s harsh words reflect a growing frustration among some Ghanaians who feel the party is failing to deliver on its promises. The post tags several prominent NDC figures, including Mahama, Sammy Gyamfi, and the official NDC Ghana account, as well as media outlets like TV3 Ghana and UTV Ghana, amplifying the debate across social and traditional media platforms.
Budget Highlights and Economic Context
The 2025 budget includes several notable allocations, such as GH¢3.5 billion ($226 million) for the free senior high school policy and GH¢51.3 million ($3.3 million) to establish a women’s development bank aimed at providing loans to female entrepreneurs. On March 10, 2025, the Ghana Statistical Service reported that the country’s real economic growth for 2024 was 5.7%, surpassing the previous government’s revised target of 4%. While these figures suggest some economic progress, critics argue that the benefits are not reaching essential sectors like the fire service.
During the budget debate in Parliament on March 19, the Majority Caucus, led by the NDC, defended the budget as a tool to offer hope to Ghanaians, while the Minority Caucus warned that it could deepen the country’s economic woes. MP Isaac Adongo of Bolgatanga Central praised the budget’s focus on education and social programs, but others, like MP Abena Asare of Atiwa East, highlighted the global economic challenges that have strained Ghana’s economy in recent years.
Public Discourse and the Role of Media
The X post also references the Milton Podcast, which appears to be a platform discussing these budget issues, though it may be confused with Milton, GA’s Fire-Rescue Department in some online searches. Social media has become a powerful outlet for Ghanaians to voice their concerns, with hashtags like #Budget2025 trending alongside the debate. The inclusion of media outlets in the post underscores the role of platforms like TV3 Ghana and UTV Ghana in shaping public discourse on the budget.
What’s Next?
As President Mahama’s administration navigates its early months in office, the budget controversy highlights the challenges of balancing economic recovery with public expectations. Mahama, who was inaugurated for his second term on January 7, 2025, has already taken steps to address criticism, such as ordering a ban on non-essential travel by government officials on February 10. However, the fire service allocation issue may require more direct action to restore public confidence.
For now, Ghanaians continue to demand transparency and accountability, with many hoping that the government will reassess its priorities to better serve the needs of the nation’s most critical sectors.