The Minority in Parliament has issued a threat to once again oppose the approval of the 2024 budget today. The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, conducted a voice vote in favor of the majority regarding the approval of the economic policy and budget statement presented by Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta on Wednesday.
However, the Minority insisted on a headcount, leading the Majority caucus to walk out during the approval process. Addressing the media, Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson stated that the fate of the 2024 budget still hangs in the balance, and its approval is expected to be challenged again today.
In contrast, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and the Majority in Parliament assert that the 2024 budget was passed following the Speaker’s declaration of the voice vote.
Despite the Minority’s position that the budget and economic statement haven’t been approved, the Finance Minister maintained that the Speaker twice declared the ‘ayes’ to have it, signifying the budget’s passage.
After the Majority’s walkout, the Finance Minister addressed journalists, stating, “At the end of the day, the Speaker put it to vote twice, and he declared that the ‘ayes’ have it. That means the budget, in my view, has been passed.” However, he acknowledged an unresolved challenge raised by the Minority.
The Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, expressed frustration with the Speaker’s actions, highlighting a sudden change in the Speaker’s stance on the vote’s outcome. He emphasized the need for proper resolution and criticized the delay caused by the Speaker’s actions.
During an interview, MP for Tolon Habib Iddrisu reiterated that the budget had indeed been approved.
He explained the Minority’s decision to bring NPP MPs out of the chamber, citing disagreements and concerns about the Speaker mentioning MPs’ names during the headcount.
Despite the disagreements, he emphasized that the 2024 budget and the government’s economic statement had been approved by Parliament.
