Ghana's parliament approved a 17.5 billion cedis ($10.7 billion) budget for 2012 on Tuesday, aimed at developing the West African nation's infrastructure in order to fuel economic growth and job creation, according to Reuters. The government of President John Atta Mills has said the budget, which saw a 12.5 percent increase from the previous year, will tackle poverty in a 2012 election year but will keep public finances in check with higher state revenues. The budget, which was presented to parliament last month, titled the 'Infrastructure Development for Accelerated Growth and Job Creation' focused on key areas such as road and infrastructure development and agriculture. Spending next year will rise to 17.5 billion cedis, slightly outpacing an increase in government revenues to 15.6 billion cedis, according to the detailed 2012 budget statement.
