By Edzorna Francis Mensah
The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Leader of Government Business in Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has said that, for the purposes of effective programming and planning of Committee, public, private, and personal businesses, the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, will present the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government for the 2024 Financial Year to Parliament on November 15, 2023, in line with statutory prescription.
The Majority Leader stated at a news conference that the two-day Post-Budget Workshop planned from 17th November, 2023, shall be held on the weekend immediately following the presentation of the budget at a yet-to-be announced location.
The debate on the policy is scheduled to commence on Tuesday after the post-budget Workshop.
According to him, “the last Friday before the commencement of the Christmas festivities is December 22nd, 2023, and the Business Committee expects that the sector allocations will be dealt with and possibly approved to allow for the consideration and possible passage of the Appropriation Bill, 2023, on or before Friday, 22ind December, 2023.”
“This would also mean that the various sector Ministers and Committees shall have to act timeously and proactively in order for the agenda of the Meeting to be concluded before adjournment for the Yuletide,” he added.
Also heavily on the agenda for the third meeting of the third session of the eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic is the budgetary allocation for the conduct of the 2024 general election.
And, the Business Committee for the first week ending Friday, November 3, 2023, pursuant to Order 44 of the Standing Orders, the leadership of the Business Committee proposes that the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission be invited to attend upon the House on Wednesday, 8th November, 2023 at a close sitting to brief Members on matters arising out of the recently held limited voters registration exercise undertaken by the Commission and other related matters.
The Business Committee used the occasion to welcome all members back from the long recess.
But as “Members may be aware, a significant part of this Third Meeting will be devoted to the consideration of the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government of Ghana for the year ending 31st December 2024.
The House would also give attention to any other critical business requiring consideration of Parliament prior to adjournment for the Yuletide”, Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu added.