Parliament has given its nod to the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, following a head count that saw the Majority securing 138 votes against 136 for the Minority.
In declaring the results, Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, announced, “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 decision for a head count was prompted by the Deputy Minority Leader, Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, during the previous voting on November 29. He challenged the Speaker's opinion that “the ayes have it” and requested a headcount.
The Majority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, and his Deputy, Mr Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, opposed the request, leading to a walkout by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Majority.
Following the Speaker's directive, the Business Committee retabled the Motion for the approval of the Budget on December 7. During the vote, 137 NPP MPs and one independent, Mr Andrew Amoako Asiamah, voted en bloc in favor, securing 138 votes. The opposition NDC Minority voted 136 against the budget, with one member absent.
Finance Minister, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, presented the budget to Parliament on November 15, 2023.