Speaker of Parliament Alban K.S. Bagbin has rescheduled the approval of the 2024 budget to its next sitting due to members being divided over the processes for approval.
Per the order paper for November 30, members were expected to conduct a headcount after the majority staged a walkout on Wednesday, allowing the Speaker to suspend sitting and further adjourn sitting.
Prior to the majority staging a walkout, the Speaker declared a voice vote on the approval of the budget in favour of the majority but the minority challenged the ruling and opted for a headcount.
But in Parliament on Thursday while going through the votes and proceedings for Wednesday, Minority leader raised an issue that the minister of finance, Ken Ofori-Atta has misinformed the public indicating that, the 2024 budget has been approved by Members of the House.
“The information out there led by the minister responsible for Finance is that the budget has been approved. Mr Speaker this matter is grave and there is the need for the house to set the record straight”, the minority leader said.
The minority leader further called on the majority leader to correct the records and urged the finance minister to desist from such comments.
But the majority leader, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu also indicated that the only thing hanging is the challenge raised by the minority for the headcount and not the speaker’s declaration hence the speaker’s decision to reschedule the approval.
“I don’t think we have to debate this matter. It is a matter of records and I direct that the business committee reschedule the issue for next week. The budget statement and government’s economic policy is still before the house”, the Speaker said.