The Deputy National Communications Officer of the opposition National Democratic Congress Godwin Ako Gunn, has lauded the Minority Caucus in Parliament for demonstrating a sense of resilience and unity by voting unanimously against the 2024 Budget and Economic Policy.
Reacting to the news of the approval of the 2024 Budget, Mr Ako Gunn indicated that the National Democratic Congress Minority Caucus in Parliament, particularly its leadership did extremely well by exposing the consequences the 2024 budget would have on Ghanaians when it is approved.
“Comrades, again, It is a great day because the unity of the minority has been reinforced!!! 100% on our side voted ‘No’ and that was significant. Thank you, Hon. Minority MPs for going through this long haul on our behalf. There was no way we were going to win this headcount unless the members on the other side refused to appear or care for the people of Ghana. On our side, we have done our part. We fought a good fight for the people of Ghana, yet we were limited by our numbers”.
Godwin Ako Gunn
While expressing his disappointment that the Majority Caucus in Parliament have failed to show compassion towards the plight of Ghanaians, Mr Ako Gunn urged Ghanaians to massively vote against the New Patriotic Party administration and vote for the National Democratic Congress Members of Parliament and its flagbearer, Former President John Dramani Mahama in the 2024 general elections.
According to him, the National Democratic Congress and its Members of Parliament have demonstrated on countless occasions that it cares about the plight of the people of Ghana, hence Ghanaians should vote for the party in the 2024 general elections.
“Next year, just about this time, when you are handed the ballot paper, think about today, think about the sacrifices of the Minority in Parliament, and grant the NDC the majority in parliament. Never say your vote won’t matter. Prepare for the better days ahead”.
Godwin Ako Gunn
Minority Vows To Oppose Budget Estimate After Approval Of Budget Statement
Meanwhile, the Minority Caucus in Parliament has vowed to oppose and contest every aspect of the budget estimate after the approval of the 2024 Budget and Economic Policy statement.
Speaking on the approval of the statement of the 2024 Budget and Economic Policy by majority votes of 138 against 136, the Tamale Central Member of Parliament, Ibrahim Murtala indicated the Minority Caucus in Parliament would ensure that every aspect of the 2024 Budget estimates is voted on.
He thus urged the Majority Caucus in Parliament to restrain itself from making merry on the approval of the statement of the 2024 Budget and Economic Policy.
“Let’s not celebrate yet… what is critical is the approval of the estimates and mind you every component of the estimate is going to be voted upon and I am not too sure whether they’d [Majority side] be able to garner all their ministers and others to be in Parliament throughout December”.
Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed
Explaining the position of the Minority Caucus in Parliament, the Tamale Central Legislator asserted that the Caucus’s opposition to the 2024 Budget is a result of the numerous taxes that the government intends to impose on the citizens despite wide evidence of severe hardship in the country.
According to him, the numerous taxes proposed by the government in the 2024 Budget and Economic Policy Statement will exacerbate the already hardship Ghanaians are facing in the country under President Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party administration.
“We protested against the budget because of the taxes imposed on the already depressed Ghanaian … We were not doing that [protesting] just for the opposition’s sake. We were doing that anchored on convincing reasons that this budget was empty and would worsen the situation of the ordinary Ghanaian. This was the basis on which we opposed the approval of the budget”.
Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed
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