In a session marked by high tensions and procedural disputes, Ghana's Parliament has officially approved the Budget Statement and Economic Policy for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024.
The approval came after a closely contested headcount, revealing a stark divide between the Majority and Minority members.
The Majority, comprising 138 members, secured a decisive victory with the Minority tallying 36 votes in favor.
Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, in declaring the results, stated, “At the end of the headcount, the ‘ayes' had 138, nos were 136, one absent. The ayes have it. The 2024 budget has been approved.”
The approval process faced significant controversy on November 29 when Mr. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Deputy Minority Leader, challenged the initial opinion of the Speaker, requesting a headcount.
The decision to conduct the headcount led to opposition from the Majority, resulting in a walkout by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Majority.
In response to the disruption, Speaker Bagbin directed the Business Committee to retable the Motion for Budget approval on December 7.
The subsequent session witnessed the 137 NPP MPs and one independent, Mr. Andrew Amoako Asiamah, voting collectively in favour of the Budget, securing a total of 138 votes.
The NDC Minority, on the other hand, voted against the budget, registering 136 votes, with one member absent from the Chamber.
Finance Minister, Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta, presented the budget to Parliament on November 15, introducing key fiscal measures and policy directions for the upcoming year.
