Ghana’s Finance Minister, Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta, is expected to move for the adoption of the Mid-Year Review Budget Statement and Economic Policy of Government; the government’s supplementary estimate for the 2021 financial year, on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, July 22, at the Parliament House in Accra.
Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Deputy Majority Leader, announced this on the floor of the House in Accra, on Friday, July 16, when he presented the Business Statement schedule for the Ninth Week Ending Friday, July 23, 2021, of the current meeting of the Legislature.
Meanwhile, experts have urged the government to provide update and clarity on the newly introduced taxes so that their impact can be assessed and revised, if necessary. The 2021 Budget Statement and Economic Policy which was presented to parliament on Friday, March 12, 2021 saw the introduction of new taxes.
Aside the proposition of the Mid-Year Review Budget, the Finance Minister is also expected to answer questions on the cost of President Akufo-Addo’s official travels to France, Belgium and South Africa in May this year.
Additionally, the Minister is expected to clarify latest developments on the financing of the Free Senior High School Policy on Wednesday, July 21, 2021 before he presents the Budget Statement on Thursday. Specifically, the Minister is expected to tell the House if the Government took a loan to finance the Free Senior High School Policy.
Other Ministers to answer questions in parliament
Apart from the appearance of the Finance Minister, the House has scheduled some Ministers of State to appear before it to respond to some questions related to their sector ministries during the week.
These include the Minister of Energy, who would answer a question on how much money the Government has paid in relation to Independent Power Producers for the past eight years, the breakdowns and the periods involved.
Additionally, the Energy Minister is expected to tell the House the outcome of investigation into a shooting incident during an impasse between the people of Lower Manya Krobo and the Electricity Company of Ghana Power Distribution Company.
Furthermore, the Energy Minister is expected to tell the House the progress of work on the connection of electricity to some communities in the Tain, Saboba, Nadowli Kaleo, North Dayi, and Nkwanta North constituencies.
Moreover, the ministers of Communication and Digitalisation, Fisheries, Roads and Highways, Tourism, Arts and Culture; Defence, Trade and Industry and the Attorney General are all expected in the House next week to respond to questions. The Ministers are expected to brief the House on the latest developments in their respective ministries.
Tuesday, July 20, 2021 as is a public holiday
Parliament would also receive reports of assignments of various committees during next week’s settings. As such, the Deputy Majority Leader entreated members to avail themselves at the plenary, especially for the presentation of the Mid-year Budget Review.
On the other hand, the Deputy Majority Leader indicated that Tuesday, July 20, 2021 is a public holiday in respect of the Eid ul-Adha, and would be observed as such. That means there would be no Parliamentary sittings on that day.
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