Minority Leader in Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu, has disclosed that the minority could not reach a consensus on the 2022 budget due to the refusal of the majority to review the e-levy from its original charge of 1.75%.
According to him, both sides of the House held a joint caucus meeting to make some useful concessions towards the approval of the 2022 Budget. Mr Iddrisu explained that during the deliberations, the Minority insisted that the proposed 1.75% e-levy should be reviewed to a more suitable rate in a bid to make life more comfortable for Ghanaians.
“Indeed, the vexed issues, for which there was a stalemate, for which we could not discuss further, was the matter of e-levy. Our original position was that, no, no, no, no, to e-levy. They explained to us the difficulties and circumstances of the economy and the fact that they needed some additional revenue for purposes of consolidation – fiscal consolidation. We referred to them, that the brilliant economists at ISSER, had suggested to them that review it downwards…”
Mr Haruna Iddrisu
The minority leader emphasized that the majority insisted that it was “their budget” and were not prepared to review the e-levy. Following this, he disclosed that the minority took a position that the majority must “stand alone” in its decision.
“Because we believe sincerely, that it’s punitive as Professor Quartey said, and it doesn’t serve a good tax instrument because it’s regressive. We also asked them to adjust even the threshold of this GH₵100 maybe upwards; they also said they were not ready to do that. So, if you didn’t see the Minority cooperating, these were the very reasons we were unable to support them… We want to inherit a healthy economy under President Mahama, in the very foreseeable future of 2025. But the difficulty was on those matters”.
Mr Haruna Iddrisu
Budget approval, unconstitutional
The Tamale South legislator described as unconstitutional, the decision by the Majority side to approve the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy in their absence.
According to Haruna Iddrisu, the approval of the 2022 Budget by the Majority is an act contradicting the dictates of the law. Justifying his argument with Article 104 (3) of the Constitution, and standing order 109 of Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu explained that two provisions point to an illegality on the part of the Majority, as they did not have the required numbers to approve the Budget.
“Therefore, if they claim that they respect the Constitution, they must respect the fact that… [the] decision is a constitutional nullity because the Deputy Speaker has no original or casting vote, nothing more. And therefore, they were at best, 137”.
Mr Haruna Iddrisu
He further indicated that, based on the conduct of the Majority, his Caucus will resort to the use of headcounts in determining all issues which will come before the House. Following this, Haruna Iddrisu insisted that “cooperation has suffered” and as such the Minority will take a cue from it and be advised accordingly.
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