The ongoing controversy surrounding the approval of the 2024 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government has prompted Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin to direct the Business Committee of the House to reschedule the decision to Thursday, December 7.
This decision aims to provide clarity on the status of the budget and finalize the parliamentary stance.
During the parliamentary session on Thursday, Speaker Bagbin emphasized that the 2024 Budget was still under consideration, dispelling any misconceptions about its approval.
He assured members that the Business Committee would reconvene next week to deliberate on the budget, ensuring a transparent and democratic process.
The directive from Speaker Bagbin came in response to an appeal by Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Minority Leader.
Dr Forson sought clarification on the approval status of the 2024 Budget, citing remarks by Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, the Finance Minister, to the press, implying that the House had already approved the budget.
“Mr. Speaker, I also urge to set the records straight because there is a lot of confusion out there because impressions have been created that the Budget has been approved. While we in this House know for sure that the Budget is hanging,” expressed the Minority Leader during the session.
In response to the concerns raised by Dr Forson, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business in Parliament, asserted that the Budget had indeed received approval from the House.
He clarified that the pending issue was related to Mr. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Deputy Minority Leader's request for a headcount to determine the approval of the Budget.
The controversy surrounding the budget approval unfolded during the debate on Wednesday, November 29, when the Speaker called for a voice vote on two occasions.
Speaker Bagbin expressed his opinion, stating, “I think the ayes have it.” This led Mr. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah to challenge the decision, requesting a head count.
Subsequently, after the Speaker's ruling on November 29, calling for a head count using the names of individual Members of the House present in the Chamber, the Majority Caucus of the House staged a walkout, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.
