IFP worried over reduced poverty spending

THE Institute of Fiscal Policy (IFP) of the Integrated Social Development Centre (ISODEC) has indicated that the declining trends in poverty spending could have far reaching implications for the poor, the vulnerable in the country.

The IFP said the quality of service delivery to the marginalised in the Ghanaian society can be compromised while the country’s march towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) can be impeded.

The IFP said its analysis of the 2012 budget revealed that the macro-fiscal framework outlook for the 2012 budget could have widened fiscal space and provided more spending in the social sector.

Yet, poverty reduction expenditure as a percentage of total government expenditure saw a significant increase in 2010 with declining trends in 2011 and 2012.

Also, budgetary allocations to other key sector ministries, department and agencies (MDAs) which are critical to the marginalised in society, such as children, have either been almost flat or experienced declining trends.

These imperatives, according to the IFP, underlie its call to action, the tracking of the 2012 budget. 

At a media encounter in Accra by IFP to share its observations and findings on the 2012 budget statement, the institute highlighted five sectors  of the economy that are critical to the survival of the marginalised in the country.

These included macro-fiscal framework and poverty, health, education, water and social protection and social welfare.

The IFP’s Coordinator, Ms Philomena Johnson, said ISODEC has seen the budget as a vital tool for promoting economic stability, growth and distribution of resources.

She said although the country’s media is widely acknowledged as having made strides, the citizen’s participation in development planning and engagement which demands equity, transparency and accountability on issues of national interest is woefully below expectation.

She said beyond the annual analysis of public budget, there is no structured mechanism in place to track government’s commitments as defined in the budget.

“The goods and services item which directly affects women and children has suffered a consistent decline since 2008 with 2012 registering the least expenditure allocation. Right of access to healthcare can be seriously hampered, particularly for those in the rural areas should this downward trend persist,” Ms Johnson disclosed.

The Executive Director of ISODEC, Mr Bishop Akolgo, advised the media to be proactive and play its role in national development by ensuring that development priorities in the budget were operationalised. 

“If you have a policy without a budget it is meaningless though budgets are informed by policies. Let us be budget aware but more importantly budget vigilant.”

The meeting ended with the formation a Media Budget Watch, a network comprising of selected journalist to track budgets in the country.