By Edzorna Francis Mensah.
The Minority has served notice that it will reject the 2022 Budget Statement and the Economic Policy of the government in its current form and shape.
According to them, they will not accept or approve a Budget with numerous ” taxes” including the newly introduced E-Levy also referred to as “Momo Tax”.
At the emergency Press Conference held early hours of Friday, 26th November, 2021 in Parliament, MP for Ningo/Prampram, Sam George cautioned the Majority side of the House to respect Parliament sitting time.
The Minority also accused the NPP MPs of ”dodging” their own budget by not coming to the Chamber.
At the time of engaging the media, a minute after Midday, Sam George said, “go and check, we’re set and ready to conclude the debate but unfortunately, people in charge of government business are not available as we speak”.
He added, “as we speak, the Speaker is ready in the lobby waiting for the Majority to come for him to commence Public Business”.
On Friday, 25th November, 2021, the Speaker adjourned the House to today at 10 am, but as if 12:41 sitting had not started.
However, in a sharp rebuttal, the Majority Chief Whip and MP for Nsawan/Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh Dompreh has rejected all the accusations.
He said they were in a Caucus Meeting to discuss matters related to government business.
”I’m just coming from the meeting, and I’m going back to continue our business……we’re not shaken by their threat to reject the budget because we know what to do”.
And, accordingly, Frank Annoh Dompreh and his Colleagues have gone back into meeting.
In a related development, Deputy Minority Chief Whip, Almed Ibrahim asked the Majority to come and move the motion on the floor and leave the Job 600 Building.
“We are ready to vote on this Budget using the 137, 137 plus 1 Independent MP, no two ways about this fact”.
He described the Momo tax as “digital corruption”, and called on his Colleagues to vote against it.