The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has said that if the approval of the 2022 Budget Statement and Fiscal Policy is delayed any further, the government would be compelled to shut down.
The Parliamentary Minority has said that it would not support the budget unless the Minister of Finance makes certain changes to it.
Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta, on the other hand, announced certain budget changes on Monday, December 6, 2021, to address some of the Minority’s concerns.
He also said that negotiations on the implementation of the e-levy will continue, but warned of catastrophic implications if the budget is not enacted as quickly as possible.
“The full consequences of not passing the budget are serious. This would imply that from January 1, 2022, for the government to continue work, we would need to obtain parliamentary approval to spend in advance of the appropriation either than that, the entire government would have to shut down which will mean to name a few, no salaries for almost 700,000 public sector workers including doctors, nurses, teachers, personnel of the security services and others.”
Ken Ofori-Atta, Minister of Finance, also said that the administration would continue to work with the Minority and other stakeholders, including mobile network providers, to get the planned e-levy authorized.
According to him, the tax has a substantial influence on Ghana’s economic condition, highlighting the need of reaching an agreement on it.
“Having regard to its serious fiscal implications, we will continue our consultation with the minority caucus in parliament and other relevant stakeholders with the view to achieving consensus and reverting to the house in the shortest possible time.”
Meanwhile, the 2022 budget is poised to take center stage in Parliament again today, Tuesday, as the Minority continues to argue it has not been authorized.
Read Also: Shatta Wale, Medikal will appear in court again today
SOURCE: CITINEWS
