The Business Committee of Parliament has issued a directive urging all Committees of the House to hasten their work on sector estimates, preparing for consideration by the House.
This call comes as the House faces a tight schedule, having only two weeks left to deliberate on the Budget estimates and the Appropriation Bill.
Mr. Habib Iddrisu, the Deputy Majority Chief Whip, delivered the Business Statement of the House for the week ending Friday, November 8, emphasizing the urgency for Committees to conclude their sector estimates.
He reminded both the Ministry of Finance and other Ministries Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), along with independent Constitutional Bodies, to promptly submit their Heads of Estimates to facilitate the swift consideration and approval by the House.
The Business Committee recommended that the House adhere to the 1000 hours of sitting time and the scheduled program for the week under consideration.
This recommendation aims to expedite the review of the Budget Estimates, creating an opportunity for Members of Parliament to pose their Parliamentary Questions before the House adjourns sine die for the Christmas Holidays.
In the upcoming week, nine Ministers are expected to appear before the House to respond to a total of 76 questions, including 66 orals and 11 urgent questions.
However, Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, representing the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Minority, raised a concern.
He stated that as the principles of the Budget had not been approved, the Committees of the House couldn't proceed with dealing with estimates at this stage.
The statement reflects the ongoing discussions and considerations within the Parliament as it moves forward with crucial budgetary matters.