Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minority Leader, has reiterated the Minority’s demand for a formal vote on the budget estimates before final approval of the 2024 budget.
During an appearance on the Citi Breakfast Show on Citi FM, Forson emphasized the significance of Order 98 in Ghana’s standing order, which stipulates that once the Speaker rules on a matter, a substantive motion is r壯陽藥 equired to challenge that ruling. He stressed that the Speaker had ruled for a headcount, and until this ruling is challenged with a substantive motion, it stands unchallenged. Forson affirmed the Minority’s stance on insisting that the budget undergoes a proper voting process.
Forson’s comments follow the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin’s declaration of a voice vote in favor of the majority for the approval of the economic policy and budget statement presented by Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta on Wednesday, November 29.
Despite the Minority’s call for a headcount, which prompted the Majority caucus to stage a walkout during the approval process, Forson emphasized that the budget had not received official approval. He expressed determination that the NDC Minority would not allow any estimates on the floor until the budget underwent a proper consideration and approval process.
However, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, the Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance and MP for Karaga, maintained that the budget had been legitimately approved by the Speaker. He asserted that, according to the majority caucus, the budget had passed following the Speaker’s declaration of the voice vote.
The standoff regarding the proper approval process for the 2024 budget continues, with the Minority advocating for transparent voting procedures, while the Majority stands firm on the belief that the budget has already received approval based on the Speaker’s declaration.