Ghanaian CSOs demand urgent release of climate and gender funds

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), including Kasa Initiative Ghana and ABANTU for Development, are urging the government to accelerate the release of funds earmarked for climate action, gender-responsive initiatives, and environmental protection. Following a review of the 2026 Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review, these groups identified significant discrepancies between approved budgetary allocations and actual fund releases.

Key programs facing funding gaps include the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) program, which has received approximately 44% of its GH¢1.1 billion allocation, and the Ghana School Feeding Programme, which has also received about 44% of its GH¢1.98 billion allocation. The latter supports over 4.5 million pupils and 34,000 workers.

Of particular concern is the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), which has received only 11% of its GH¢150 million allocation despite conducting 200 intelligence-led operations. The CSOs are calling for improved budget transparency and timely disbursement to ensure resources reach vulnerable communities and frontline institutions.