The Minority Caucus of Parliament has vowed to subject the upcoming budget statement and economic policy of the government to thorough scrutiny.
The minority Members of Parliament cited the prevailing economic challenges of the country as the reason for their decision to properly interrogate the budget statement of the government.
According to the Minority leader, Dr. Casiel Ato, Forson the minority caucus will resist any budget statement which has the tendency to further heighten the current economic plight Ghanaians are going through.
“We in the minority caucus will scrutinize the upcoming budget statement and economic policy of government with eagle eyes.
He said this decision of the Minority is not intended to frustrate the business of the government but rather be on the side of the Ghanaian populace.
“The upcoming budget statement will encounter resistance if and if it does not prioritize the needs of the people and businesses. This indeed is our bottom line, he said while addressing the house in parliament.
Dr. Ato Forson described as unfortunate the exit of young professionals from Ghana as they find no opportunities due to “harsh economic conditions, poor governance and corruption.”
In a response, the Majority leader, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu indicated that this year’s budget statement will be a true reflection and representation of what the entire nation yearns to know.
“I believe that people will see what steps that government has been taking to really reposition this country,” he said.
However, the speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin urged both sides of parliament to offer their maximum support and cooperation to the passage of the budget.
He said the 2024 financial statement is proposed to be held on November 15, 2023.
He therefore tasked the house to scrutinize the budget to ensure that it serves the needs of all Ghanaians.
“This house will adopt a consultative and consensus-building approach throughout this process. We have demonstrated enough capacity and experience in budget approval deliberation and this will be no different.”
Speaker Bagbin however said there is an urgent need for the house to pass the budget bill to enable parliament to engage more technical personnel.
To him, the bill will put parliament in good stead to comply with the imperatives of the recent recession passed by this house.
Read also: GRASAG-USA Launches Dr Juliet Ohemeng-Ntiamoah and Prof Yaw Yeboah Endowment Fund
Source: Eric Sekyi/ATLFMNEWS
