Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, the Minority Leader, has announced that the upcoming 2024 budget statement, scheduled to be presented by the Finance Minister November 2023 in Parliament, will undergo rigorous examination from the minority side.
He also revealed that the Minority Caucus is prepared to reconvene from their recess, emphasizing the significance of the budget meeting.
Dr. Forson made these statements during his opening address upon the return of Members of Parliament (MPs) following a three-month hiatus.
“Mr Speaker, we in the Minority Caucus are excited to be back in this august house,” he stated.
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Continuing his speech, the former Deputy Finance Minister cautioned that the caucus would oppose the budget statement if it fails to prioritize the welfare of the average Ghanaian.
“The prevailing economic conditions have already made it very difficult for the ordinary Ghanaian and businesses and therefore we can’t be a party to any policy or measure which makes things even more unbearable for the already suffering Ghanaian and businesses.
Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson
“Mr Speaker, let me be blunt; the upcoming budget statement will encounter resistance if it does not prioritize the needs of people and businesses. That is our bottom line. So, if the government knows that its upcoming budget does not prioritize the needs of the people, then they should get ready for a showdown!”
Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson
However, he underscored that the position was not intended to frustrate the government.
“Mr Speaker, the position taken by the Minority Caucus is not intended to frustrate the government; far from that. We have taken the position to be on the side of the people of Ghana as we have always done in the life of this Parliament, and Parliaments before this one.”
Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson
Issues To Probe In Parliament
Furthermore, Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, sympathized with the victims of Volta following the spillage of Akosombo and Kpong dams.
Akosombo Dam Spillage Victims
“Mr Speaker, as a Minority Caucus, our hearts bleed for all the victims of this man-made disaster which has rendered several thousands of people homeless swept away farms, and destroyed the livelihoods of many people in parts of the Volta Regions, Oti Region, Eastern Region, Greater Accra, Bono East, Savanna, and Northern Region. The affected communities and regions have yet to recover from the aftermath of this disaster.
“The conduct of both the government and the Volta River Authority in terms of leading a coordinated emergency response and disaster relief efforts leaves much to be desired.”
Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson
He, therefore, served notice that a motion would be filed in the House to demand a parliamentary inquiry into the circumstances that led to the disaster.
The Minority Leader emphasized that the Minority Caucus had not forbidden the mandate and worries of the people of Ghana. He hailed the Caucus’s achievement in holding the government accountable through its own investigative pieces and assured the country of its commitment to relentless surge on.
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Mr Ato Baah Forson led a demonstration to demand the removal of the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Ernest Kwamina Addison, and his two deputies. He served notice on the day of presenting a petition to the Governor, albeit meeting his absence that the demonstration would continue.
He thus hinted that the Minority intends to probe the Bank of Ghana in parliament. This intention has already seen opposition from the majority leader, Hon Osei-Kyei Mensah Bonsu who believes the matter should have first come to the house.
Parliament will be very busy with lots of national issues and bills ahead of its December break. Many Ghanaians will be looking up to the parliament to bring finality to controversial matters from the Police Service to the Akosombo Dam Spillage.
