The Member of Parliament for Savelugu, Hajia Fatahiya Abdul Aziz, has cautioned that Ghana’s long-term social and economic stability is at risk due to what she describes as chronic underfunding of essential welfare programmes in the 2026 Budget and Economic Policy.
Contributing to the ongoing parliamentary debate on the budget, the MP spotlighted the broader national consequences of inadequate social protection financing, stressing that weakened safety nets leave millions exposed to shocks and undermine the country’s development goals.
Abdul Aziz noted that allocations to major social interventions — including LEAP, the Ghana School Feeding Programme, and other statutory transfers — amount to GH¢3.46 billion, representing only 0.22% of GDP. This, she said, is well below global standards for developing economies and threatens Ghana’s ability to cushion its most vulnerable populations.
“This level of investment is insufficient to build national resilience,” she argued. “When households face deepening poverty, economic shocks become harder to absorb. Strong social protection is not charity; it is a national economic stabiliser.”
She said the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection — the institution responsible for overseeing most welfare programmes — continues to operate with limited resources. With only 1.1% of total government expenditure and capital investment of GH¢11.6 million, Abdul Aziz warned that Ghana risks slowing critical reforms needed to expand shelters, digital case management systems, and community welfare offices.
The MP further drew attention to steep reductions in funding for the Domestic Violence Fund and Child Trafficking Fund. Allocations of GH¢1 million each, compared to significantly higher support in 2024, indicate what she described as a weakening national commitment to protecting victims of violence and exploitation.
“These cuts compromise frontline social workers and the nationwide response system,” she said. “Under-resourced interventions cannot keep pace with rising cases of abuse, trafficking, and gender-based violence.”
Abdul Aziz also expressed concern about gaps in the budget, including the absence of financing for initiatives such as the Sanitary Pad Programme and Women in Trade. Without dedicated budget lines, she said, accountability becomes difficult and programme delivery uncertain.
Looking beyond individual programmes, she cautioned that flagship policies such as the 24-Hour Economy appear to lack gender-responsive planning, potentially excluding women from benefiting equitably from new economic opportunities.
“For rural women farmers in places like Savelugu,” she noted, “the budget provides limited support for climate resilience, credit access, and livelihood strengthening — yet these are the people who drive local food systems.”
Abdul Aziz closed with an appeal for a national shift in how social protection is valued within public spending.
“Budget allocations must reflect our commitment to human development,” she said. “If we fail to invest adequately now, the social and economic costs will be far greater in the future.”
Parliament’s deliberations on the 2026 Budget continue, with social protection emerging as one of the most urgent and hotly debated issues.
