General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has revealed that the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta, did not show good faith when he engaged Parliament over the 2022 budget when given the opportunity to clarify some aspects of the budget.
According to him, the finance minister was just “playing to the gallery” on his initial request to engage the minority on the content of the budget which was flatly denied him. He explained that the reason why he was given the “floor” to speak was because they reckoned he was going to convey the “output” of an earlier engagement with the leadership to the House and the general public.
Mr Asiedu Nketia emphasized that there had been earlier engagement on both sides of the House “presided” over by the Speaker and some of the “conclusions” were that some “objectionable aspects” of the budget had been identified by the finance minister and there was the need to give him the opportunity to “announce” those portions. The NDC General Secretary revealed that it was based on the outcome of the announcement the “two sides” were to vote to “endorse the budget”.
“Between the Speaker’s block and the floor of the House all that had changed. Then when he had the opportunity to address the House, instead of announcing those aspects that will be withdrawn, he just got up and changed everything and he was now saying that he should be given more time and engage. If after an engagement, you have shown this lack of good faith, what type of engagement are you looking for?”
Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia
The NDC General Secretary similarly questioned how the finance minister expected to be trusted again after going contrary to the agreed deliberation. Mr Asiedu Nketia intimated that the finance minister showed “bad faith” by that act and expressed that the decision taken by the finance minister in Parliament on Friday was typical of the New Patriotic Party, insisting the majority side do not know how to “engage”.
“So, how will they trust you and how will they guarantee that after the engagement, you would come and report on what you have agreed upon? Anytime you attempt to engage with them in the national interest, [they] always had a hidden agenda. Once you move one step, they turn round to turn everything and say a different thing.”
Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia
Minority outlines conditions to accept 2022 budget
Meanwhile, the Minority in Parliament has drawn out some conditions under which it will approve the 2022 Budget presented to Parliament by the Finance Minister on Wednesday, November 17, 2021.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu, he emphasized the need for government to review and withdraw certain policies and initiatives in the 2022 Budget before his side approves it.
Captured in the statement, the minority requested government to withdraw the Agyapa deal and suspend the proposed 1.75% e-levy. It likewise advocated for a review of the benchmark value for imports as well as provision made for the Keta tidal waves disaster.
“Parliament has duly rejected the 2022 Budget. Until and unless the Government removes the draconian taxes contained in the rejected budget, the NDC Members of Parliament remain unable to support such policies”.
Haruna Iddrisu
Following Parliament’s rejection of the 2022 Budget due to a series of heated exchanges between members of the Minority and Majority Caucuses, the Majority, led by Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu staged a walk out after alleging ‘bias’ and ‘disrespect’ on the part of the Speaker of the House.
The Majority subsequently described the Minority’s decision as “unconstitutional”. However, in the statement, Mr Iddrisu counteracted the claims of unconstitutionality and insisted the majority have been “irresponsible”, urging them to accept the rejection of the 2022 Budget in good fate.
“The Minority wishes to strongly advise the Majority Leader and Government to accept defeat, acknowledge the rejection of the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy by Parliament and focus on discussions on how to save the country from an imminent economic crisis”.
Haruna Iddrisu
The minority leader then advised the NPP government to do “what is right and proper” when considering a revised budget and “critically” take on board the view of the Minority and sentiments of Ghanaians and bring a Budget that is acceptable and address the issues of the general public.
Read Also: OPEC+ likely to tread cautiously, assessing new Omicron variant- Vitol’s Muller
