Parliament’s Speaker, Alban Bagbin, has instructed the business committee to rearrange the headcount for the 2024 budget approval to December 07, 2023, allowing for a conclusive decision on the budget.
During the parliamentary session on Thursday, November 30, the speaker emphasized that the issue is not open for debate.
The budget faced a setback on Wednesday, November 29, as Parliament failed to secure approval.
“We don’t have to debate this matter. It is a matter of record and I direct that the business committee should reschedule the issue for next week for us to finally decide on the budget. The budget statement and economic policy of the government for the year 2024 is still before the house so the business committee will reschedule it for next week.”
Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin
A significant number of members on the Majority side were absent. This marked the second instance of the Majority side boycotting proceedings, mirroring a previous occurrence during the 2022 budget statement, particularly objecting to the introduction of the e-levy.
The disagreement stemmed from concerns about the conduct of Mr. Bagbin, the Speaker. The Majority accused him of deliberately prolonging proceedings to ensure that the Minority had their full numbers in the House. This dispute led to a boycott, impeding the budget approval process.
In response to the postponement of the budget approval, Honorable Emmanuel Kofi Abuah, the Minority Deputy Whip, highlighted that it would be logical for Parliament not to proceed with discussions on the estimates until after the rescheduled approval on Thursday.
He reiterated the Minority Leader, Dr. Cassel Ato Forson’s position, emphasizing that as long as the principles remain unapproved, the breakdown of the estimates should not proceed.
“Mr Speaker, I want to send a strong indication that we in this house including leadership must support you and take your word very seriously so that Monday early morning, first thing, the business committee must meet and when we meet we make provisions for that decision and that indication that you have given for it to be part of the business statement. To bring it here before the house printed.”
Emmanuel Kofi Abuah
Honorable Kofi Abuah warned that failure to address this matter by early Monday morning could lead Parliament down a path where rules and procedures are not adhered to. Consequently, he asserted that, based on the aforementioned arguments, the business statement cannot be adopted as it remains inconclusive.
Limping Majority Leader Hails Speaker’s Directive
Meanwhile, the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah Bonsu, underscored his profound respect for the Speaker and Chair of the House.
“I have never disrespected the Chair. I believe the Minority Deputy Whip should know that before I do. Now that he is aligning with you, he should know that I was already there with you. Mr Speaker, I have often restrained myself, and anytime that I disagreed with the speaker, it relates to the rules. Disagreement is not disrespect. It is a world of difference between us.”
Osei Kyei-Mensah Bonsu
He stated that while he had disagreed with the Speaker on certain occasions, there have been no instances where he disrespected the Speaker of the House.
Honorable Osei Kyei-Mensah Bonsu thus hailed the Speaker directive and pledged to abide by it and pull his side of the House along.
However, Minority Chief Whip Kwame Agbodza has leveled accusations against the Akufo-Addo’s administration, claiming it is out of touch with the reality on the ground. According to him, the government has veered off course, losing both focus and direction.
“This is the second time the Majority side of the House will be fleeing from its budget. This Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government has outlived its usefulness. This government has completely lost direction and touch with the Ghanaian people. It is often said that he who fights and runs away lives to fight another day.”
Kwame Agbodza
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