By Edzorna Francis Mensah
Parliament has adjourned to January 2 without approving the expenditure in advance of appropriation for the new government set to take office on January 7, 2025.
This inaction, without prejudice, constitutes the government’s failure to comply with Article 180 of the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, which requires the presentation of expenditure in advance of appropriation.
Addressing journalists in Parliament shortly after the adjournment on December 20, 2024, the Minority Leader, Dr. Ato Forson, stated: “In the spirit of a good transition, it is expected that the outgoing President, acting pursuant to Article 180 of the Constitution, would act in good faith and bring before this House a proposal for expenditures to cater for the first quarter of 2025.”
He emphasized the importance of this action, noting that the Appropriation Act for 2025 will not come into force on January 1. However, “sadly, President Akufo-Addo plans to leave the public services uncatered for in the first quarter of 2025,” Dr. Forson said.
The Minority Leader, however, assured the people of Ghana and all stakeholders that when the NDC government takes over on January 7, 2025, they will act swiftly to address expenditure for the first quarter of the year.
“There is no cause for alarm! Even though there will be no Minister of Finance on January 7, 2025, the Vice President can present to this House the expenditure in advance of appropriation anytime after the swearing-in on the 7th, and this House will be properly constituted to expedite its approval,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, addressing the same issue, accused the NDC Minority of being the cause of the delay.
He stated that it was the NDC that failed to cooperate with the Majority to facilitate the presentation of expenditure in advance of appropriation for the first quarter of next year.
However, he disclosed their readiness to present the mini-budget anytime the Speaker recalls the House.
