Parliament has approved the 2019 budget estimates of GH¢3.2 million, to the Ministry of Monitoring and Evaluation for its programmes.
The Monitoring and Evaluation Ministry, according to its budget, is expected to pay GH¢390,250 for employees’ compensation, and that the payment would be done by the Government of Ghana (GoG).
Goods and services for 2019 of the Ministry is expected to cover a total amount of GH¢1,809,100. Out of the total amount of goods and services, the Government of Ghana is expected to pay an amount of GH¢1,328,100 while donor support for the Ministry is expected to cover GH¢481,000.
On capital expenditure, the Monitoring and Evaluation Ministry is expected to spend GH¢962,000.
Presenting the 2019 Budget of the Ministry, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Finance, Dr. Mark Assibey-Yeboah, said that the Monitoring and Evaluation Ministry did not budget for donor support in 2018.
Dr. Assibey-Yeboah however, stated that in the course of 2018, the Ministry of Finance caused to be released from the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), an amount of GH¢157,800, to support the Ministry’s programme of work.
Dr. Assibey-Yeboah pointed out that after the Committee met the Minister for Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr. Anthony Akoto Osei, it emerged that there are instances where negotiations with donors are not completed before the submission of the budget to Parliament for approval.
Outlook for 2019
For the 2019 financial year, the Ministry in its budget, will collaborate with the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), to conduct real time monitoring of the government priority programmes.
The Ministry will again, rollout monitoring and evaluation dashboards across the MDAs.
The Ministry will also launch the national Monitoring and Evaluation policy document and implement strategies to improve the Monitoring and Evaluation regulatory environment.
Another task expected by the Ministry in 2019 is conducting in-depth mixed methods evaluations on the Free Senior High School Programme and Planting for Food and Jobs programme.
The Ministry will further, conduct citizens assessment survey on the performance of Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, Passport Office, Registrar General’s Department, Birth and Death Registry, amongst others.
Financial out-turn for 2018
The Ministry was allocated an approved budget estimate of GH¢3,180,000 for the year 2018 to embark on various programmes.
Out of the total amount allotted to the Ministry, only GH¢1,706,300 was released to the Ministry for its activities as at August, 2018.
Source: GhanaJustice/S.Ayisi
