Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has said that the 2024 budget statement he presented to Parliament on Wednesday, November 15 is a good document that details measures to provide relief to Ghanains.
He says he doesn’t see any reason why someone will be against it.
It is recalled that the Minority in Parliament opposed the budget statement on the basis that it contained too many taxes which will further intensify the sufferings of Ghanains.
But speaking in an interview with TV3’s Martin Asiedu Darteh on Thursday, November 30, Mr Ofori-Atta said “As we sit today I believe the yes have it and I am looking forward to the budget that is essentially looks at macro stability and growth with the various reliefs for the people of Ghana. I don’t see how anybody will be against it.
Mr Ofo-Atta is also advocating for an amendment to the Standing Orders of Parliament relative to the approval of budget statements.
He wants a departure from the current status quo where the speaker’s ruling in voice votes that “ayes have it” is challenged, leading to headcounts to determine the approval or otherwise of the budget.
In his view, the Standing Orders should be changed to allow for the budget to be approved during the initial stages and then when it comes to the estimates and the appropriations stage, the challenges can be mounted and argued out.
“I think maybe on a standing orders level it is in my mind to remove the need for the approval of budgets at this early stage because nobody can really be against the principles and then when they get into the estimates and appropriation, at that point in time various challenges could be mounted which will be argued out. But I think it is too early maybe parliament should look at its standing orders to change them.”
His comment came after the Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin directed the business committee to reschedule the headcount for the approval of the 2024 budget to next week.
A final decision will be taken on the budget during that session. In Parliament on Thursday, November 30, the Speaker indicated that the matter is not up for debate.
“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 take a decision on the budget.
“The budget statement and economic policy of the government for the year 2024 is still before the House and so the business committee will reschedule it for next week,” he said.
Parliament could not approve the budget on Wednesday, November 29 after the Majority side of the House boycotted proceedings, making it the second time they are walking out on their own budget after they first did so on the 2022 budget statement which introduced the e-levy.
They disagreed with the way Mr Bagbin was conducting the business. They accused the Speaker of delaying proceedings in order for the Minority to have their full numbers in the House.
“Sam George is not here, Zanetor is not here, Mahama Ayariga, is not here so five of their members are not here. All the speaker is doing is to delay time for their members to come,” Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu told journalists after they walked out.
The Speaker had to suspend sitting.
Ningo-Prampram Lawmaker Samuel Nartey George, however, rubbished the claim that he was not in Parliament.
The Minority Leader Dr Cassiel Ato Forson accused the New Patriotic Party (NPP) of lacking the numbers to approve the 2024 budget statement.
Addressing the press, Dr Ato Forson said “The NPP does not have the numbers to approve their own budget, sensing defeat they decided to walk out. The NDC MPs were ready to vote against the budget.
“Our position is that we can allow the budget to go through in its current form, because the ordinary Ghanaian will suffer. John Kumah is not here, Kennedy Agyapong is not here and sensing defeat they walked out, we will not stop, we will do what we have to do. The Budget has not been approved.”
Meanwhile, the Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Atta has said that as far as he is concerned the 2024 budget statement has been approved after the Speaker of Parliament said during proceedings in parliament on Wednesday that the ‘Is’ have it after the initial voice vote.
Following a disagreement on the voice vote, the speaker moved to take a headcount, but the Minority walked out after accusing the Speaker of bias.
Addressing the press after sitting was suspended, the Minister of Finance said “I think we have just witnessed a situation where the Minority Leader gave their closing statement, the Majority also did and then I had some concluding remarks. At the end of the day the Speaker put it to vote twice, he said that he thinks that the ‘Is’ have it. So that means the budget, in my view, has been passed.
“Later there was a challenge that has not been resolved, as far as I know, and I believe we have the 2024 budget passed until such time as they resolve whatever they want to resolve. So we can all see or hear the video which will clearly show that the Speaker stated after the voice declaration that the ‘Is’ have it. So that is where I stand and I am pleased that the people of Ghana have the budget. As to what they will do, parliamentary procedures after that, is a different issue.”