Following the failure of Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam to deliver the eagerly awaited 2025 Mini-Budget prior to the end of the current session, Ghana’s Parliament had been postpone till January 2, 2024.
Before the next administration takes office, the Mini-Budget, which is required by the constitution and provides a fiscal outlook for the future year, was supposed to address important economic concerns such revenue mobilization, spending priorities, and fiscal consolidation plans.
Speaker Alban Bagbin adjourned proceedings because the presentation failed to live up to the high expectations.
Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the minority leader, told media during the adjournment that he was disappointed that the finance minister had failed to fulfill this important responsibility.
“In the spirit of a good transition, It is expected that the outgoing president, acting pursuant to article 180 of the constitution could have acted in good faith and brought before parliament a proposal for the expenditure to cater for the first quarter of the year 2025
“This was very important because the appropriation act for 2025 will not come into force on the 1st of January 2025. Sadly President Akufo Addo planned to leave the public service uncatered for in the first quarter of the year, 2025.
“However let me give assurance to the people of Ghana and all stakeholders that the NDC government will take office on 7th January 2025, and we will act with dispatch to cater for expenditure for the first quarter of the year 2025.”
Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the majority leader, blamed the Finance Minister’s failure to provide the 2025 mini budget on what he believes to be the lawlessness of the minority group.
However, he promised that when the house reconvenes on January 2, 2024, the Finance Minister will lay out the cost in advance of authorization.
