The Ghanaian Parliament has rejected the 2022 budget statement presented by the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, on the eve of Friday, November 26, 2021 amidst strong protest by the majority side of the house which saw them stage a walkout before the votes.
After the presentation of the budget, there was a public outcry over the introduction of a new tax called E-levy. Parliament then split over the decision with majority insinuating that the budget is in the interest of the nation as it addresses key sectors. However, minority members said the move would affect ordinary Ghanaians and threatens the digitization campaign.
The Minority early on refused a plea by Mr Ofori-Atta, who sought to convince them to withhold voting in order to make more consultations. The debate continued and the motion was finally moved for voting. After the voting, the minority who were against the budget carried the day. The speaker ruled that, “Clearly, the No’s have it. The motion is accordingly lost”.
The Protest and the Walk out
The Majority were not happy with the rulling of the speaker and protested. Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo Markin, thus, challenged the Speaker’s interpretation of the voice vote and called for a ‘division’.
Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin subsequently noted that, per orders of the House, non-MPs had to vacate the Chamber during the division process. After the Speaker’s order for non-MPs to vacate the house, the General Secretary of the opposition party, NDC, remained seated in the chamber. After efforts on the parts of the majority to get him out failed, all the law makers of the majority side walked out of the house. Bagbin again reminded the house that he is there to make sure the business of the house is carried out effectively.
“As the Speaker, I will do all I can, not allow the government to obstruct or frustrate parliament in its lawful duty. That is a pledge to the people of Ghana, and there is a reason why the good people of Ghana elected this parliament. It is hung parliament of 137-137, the independent who decided to do business with one side of the majority, there is no majority party in this house. This is a new beginning, where for the first time, a Majority has walked out from its own business”.
Bagbin
The Speaker of Parliament, thus suspended the sitting for five minutes after the Majority walked out.
He subsequently came back to the House to continue with proceedings. After he indicated that proceedings could continue, he ordered for voting again through voice note. The Minority won and rejected the 2022 budget.
Reactions from Maps over Budget Rejection
MP for Ningo Prampram, Sam George, reacting to the rejection of the budget by his colleagues on Twitter, complimented the minority for standing their grounds to reject the budget.
“The 2022 Budget has been rejected by Parliament. We, as a Minority, took a stand with the people of Ghana to reject a budget that had the obnoxious e-Levy, increased govt fees and charges, Agyapa deal and funds for the Keta sea defence wall. Victory for Ghana.”
Sam George
NPP MP for Adansi-Asokwa, K.T. Hammond, on the other hand, urged Ghanaians to disregard the assertion that the budget was rejected.
“Read my lips, Parliament has not constitutionally rejected our budget, we shall return to the House on Tuesday, November 30.”
K.T. Hammond
However, the Majority were left wondering what might have really gone wrong as they ruminate over Friday’s proceedings on the floor of Parliament.
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