2025 Budget Is a Pro-Poor Budget – Hon. Ndebilla
The Member of Parliament for Zebilla Constituency in the Upper East Region, Hon. Ebenezer Alumire Ndebilla, has described the 2025 Budget Statement and Economic Policy as a “budget of hope,” emphasizing that it is designed to alleviate the hardships faced by ordinary Ghanaians, particularly those in rural communities.
Speaking to ExpressNewsGhana in an interview on the sidelines of parliamentary proceedings, Hon. Ndebilla said the repeal of the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy), the Emissions Levy, and the Betting Tax are clear indications that the government is listening to the plight of the people and is taking bold steps to address their concerns.
“This is a pro-poor budget. The E-Levy, for instance, was a burden on the poor. It affected ordinary people who rely on mobile money for basic transactions—sending money to their children at school, paying for goods at the market, and so on. Its repeal is a major relief to many households,” he stated.
He further lauded the repeal of the Emissions Levy and the ongoing steps to scrap the tax on lottery winnings, stating that these actions are in fulfilment of promises made to Ghanaians during the campaign by President John Mahama.
“We are a government that walks the talk. We promised to repeal these taxes, and we have kept that promise. That is the kind of leadership Ghanaians deserve—one that delivers,” Hon. Ndebilla stressed.
The MP also praised the government’s decentralization of the school feeding program, describing it as a game-changer in improving nutrition and efficiency in senior high schools, especially in rural areas.
“Previously, food supplies were centralized in Accra, which delayed deliveries to schools like Kusanaba SHS and Zebilla SHS. Now, with the decentralized approach, schools can procure food locally and serve nutritious meals to students on time,” he noted.
“Today, our students are being served quality meals with protein—eggs, meat, and porridge with bread. This is a significant improvement.”
On the health front, Hon. Ndebilla disclosed that the government has uncapped the National Health Insurance Fund to ensure consistent funding for healthcare facilities.
He explained that this move would address long-standing shortages in medical supplies, which have often forced patients to buy drugs and conduct lab tests outside hospitals.
“The uncapping of the health fund will allow hospitals to stock essential commodities and reduce the financial burden on patients,” he added.
Responding to recent statements made by the Majority Leader, Hon. Mahama Ayariga, on the government’s performance, Hon. Ndebilla said the NDC government is proving itself to be results-oriented.
“Our leader was right. This government doesn’t just make promises—we act. We said we’d repeal E-Levy, and it’s done. We said we’d review Free SHS, and we’ve done that through national dialogue and reforms. Not only that, but we said we’d improve NHIS, and we’ve uncapped the fund,” he emphasized.
Hon. Ndebilla also welcomed the allocation of 80% of the District Assemblies Common Fund to districts like Zebilla, stating that it offers an opportunity to bridge the development gap in deprived communities.
“My constituency is rural and still lacks basic infrastructure. With this increased allocation, we can invest in roads, schools, potable water, and other essential amenities to improve the lives of our people,” he said.
On the state of water supply in the Zebilla Constituency, the MP acknowledged that while progress has been made, there is still work to be done.
“Yes, successive governments have done some work, but there are still many communities without access to safe drinking water. Some town water systems also face distribution challenges,” he noted.
“As people continue to migrate to farming areas, we must ensure they have access to clean water—not just for themselves but also for their livestock.”
He concluded by assuring constituents that he remains committed to advocating for their needs and ensuring that the benefits of national development reach every corner of the Zebilla Constituency.
Source: Felix Nyaaba/expressnewsghana.com
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