Member of parliament for Builsa South, Dr Clement Apaak, has revealed that the 2024 budget has not been passed.
According to him, the majority side in parliament walked out when the Speaker, Alban Bagbin ordered a headcount after the minority side challenged the Speaker’s opinion on the outcome of a voice vote, which was that, the “yes have it”.
He stated that the minority’s challenge was because its members knew a number of the NPP MPs were absent.
“The 2024 Budget has not been passed… By our standing orders, when a voice vote is challenged by a member, the Speaker is mandated to order a headcount.”
Dr Clement Apaak
Dr Apaak noted that the majority, sensing that the budget will be “defeated” because it didn’t have the numbers, “the cowards walked out on their own budget with their tails between their legs”.
“We remained in the Chamber expecting proceedings to continue, that is the headcount. However, the Speaker suspended sitting. He returned and to our dismay, adjourned the House. His justification was that the house had become unruly, which was not the case in our opinion.”
Dr Clement Apaak
Furthermore, Dr Apaak noted that although the minority side was displeased, it had no option after the walkout.
Nonetheless, he highlighted that the minority expects the House to take the vote via a headcount today, 30th November 2023.
“So, the 2024 budget has NOT been passed. Any claim that the budget has been approved is untrue.”
Dr Clement Apaak
Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram, Samuel Nartey George has criticized the 2024 Budget Statement presented by the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).
He revealed that the budget presented by the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta was empty and lacked a concrete plan to alleviate the prevailing economic struggles.
Contentions surrounding 2024 budget
Sam George expressed his dissatisfaction with the leadership of the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, highlighting the government’s failure to revive hope in the country’s restoration through the budget presentation.
He noted that the Majority Leader was trying to rectify the economic challenges precipitated by the NPP government.
“The budget is empty, Kyei is clutching at straws. It is the disposition of the Majority, that air of arrogance, incompetent arrogance at managing their caucus that has brought the government where it is and will bring the government to its knees.
“They [Majority] can continue running and chasing their own shadows, we [Minority] are here, we are ready for a vote if their men and women of substance believe in their budget [and] if they respect the Ghanaian people, they should come back and earn their salary for November by taking part in the vote.”
Sam Nartey George
Prior to this, member of parliament for Zebila East Cletus Avoka, indicated that the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, should have gone ahead to take the vote even after the walkout by the Majority.
He accused the Majority of abusing the orders and process of parliament.
Furthermore, Mr Avoka maintained that the majority side didn’t have the numbers and “they were afraid that if it went into voting they would lose out”.
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