The Majority Chief Whip, Mr. Frank Annoh Dompreh, has played down concerns that the absence of the Majority from Parliament on Thursday, November 30, 2023, would adversely impact government proceedings in the House.
He asserted that the Majority MPs strategically opted to be absent and assured that it would not disrupt any government business.
In an interview with Class 91.3 FM’s Parliamentary Correspondent, Havilah Kekeli, on Thursday, November 30, 2023, the Majority Chief Whip explained that the Majority was well aware of their actions, emphasizing that the absence would not hinder government affairs, particularly the approval of the budget.
The Majority Chief Whip, also the Member of Parliament for Nsawam Constituency in the Eastern Region, strongly argued that the absence was part of the Majority’s strategy.
The unusual turn of events unfolded during the 2024 budget approval process on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, when Majority Members of Parliament staged a walkout.
This came after a disagreement over the Speaker’s declaration of a voice vote in favour of the budget.
Speaker Alban Bagbin’s decision led Minority MPs to request a head count, causing frustration among the Majority who subsequently left the chamber.
Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, who had presented the budget earlier, insisted that the budget had been passed based on the Speaker’s declaration.
He stated, “At the end of the day, the Speaker put it to vote twice, and he declared that the ‘ayes’ have it.
“That means the budget, in my view, has been passed.
“Later, there was a challenge, which has not been resolved. So far as I know and believe, we have the 2024 budget passed. Until such time they want to resolve whatever they want to resolve.”
However, Minority Leader Dr Cassiel Ato Forson contested this, asserting that the budget had not been approved in its current form, emphasising the opposition’s refusal to support it.
Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Service has categorically said in a statement that the 2024 Budget has not been approved.
“The Parliament of Ghana wishes to bring to the attention of the general public that the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the government for the year ending 3 December 2024 is still before Parliament awaiting approval,” it noted.
While the Majority Caucus insists Speaker Bagbin declared that the ‘ayes’ had it in a voice vote during the approval process, the Minority Causus insists the budget was not approved.
The Minority insisted in a headcount, prompting the Majority to stage a walkout.
Source: classfmonline.com