You can’t force us to approve 2024 budget – Speaker

• Posted on November 22, 2023November 22, 2023
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

In a recent development, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has expressed his reservations about hastily approving the 2024 budget statement presented by Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.

Bagbin emphasized the need for a thorough examination and due diligence on the documents before granting approval.

The Speaker made these remarks during a post-budget workshop held in Parliament, where he stressed the significance of giving careful attention to the budget. Recognizing the critical role of Parliament in safeguarding the welfare of the nation, Bagbin urged Members of Parliament to prioritize the interests of the people they represent.

“It is our duty to strive to improve upon the welfare of the people we serve. Even though we see this as business as usual for Parliament, this time around, it’s more critical than before. This budget is a critical budget, and I want us to take time because leadership has discussed it with me, and we have enough time for you to deliberate on the budget. We are, therefore, expecting that you will not come and just make political statements or propaganda. Please listen to the voices of our people and do a critical analysis of the budget,” The Speaker of Parliament advised.

Addressing Parliament on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, the finance minister disclosed that the economy is expected to escalate from GH¢219.5 billion in 2016 to a historic milestone of GH¢1 trillion in 2024.

He continued that inflation has started declining because the economy is performing better.

However, the Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi disagrees and described the projections by the Finance Minister that Ghana’s economy is anticipated to surpass GH¢1 trillion in 2024 as the lowest point of the 2024 budget presentation.

By Vincent Kubi