Story: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
The Minority in Ghana’s Parliament have threatened to withdraw from the 2023 budget processes currently ongoing on the floor of the House.
The Minority led by its leader, Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, served this warning on Monday, December 5, 2022, during a press conference held at the Speaker’s Block -Committee Room 1 and 2 near Parliament House.
According to Mr. Iddrisu, his side has observed with dismay a shocking lack of urgency and commitment to tackling the economic crisis Ghana finds herself in.
“To begin with, the Budget was completely devoid of any convincing plan to get us out of the economic mess and turmoil.
The same “business as usual” posture that landed us here in the first place is on display. The Budget to offer comfort to anyone that we will be out of the woods in the short to medium term provided no evidence,” the Minority Leader said.
He stressed that in addition to the lack of convincing proposals, the Minority has been utterly shocked at the show of disrespect and disinterest in the Budget process by the very government that presented it.
“We have been left dumbfounded as Cabinet Ministers who double as MPs and who form part of the government that has superintended over the greatest economic crisis of our time abandoned the important Budget debate and approval process only to be seen in Qatar making merry and taking selfies during the world cup,” he cried.
“We are particularly stunned that President Akufo-Addo allowed this to happen. If ever there was proof that this government has lost its way and shown itself unworthy of the trust of the people of Ghana, this would be it,” he added.
“We in the Minority wish to make it very clear, that if we do not see significant improvement in the attitude of the Majority side and sector Ministers do not turn up to lead the Budget process on their sectors, we will withdraw from the Budget process.
