The Minority in Parliament has raised concerns about the absence of the Finance Minister and Majority Leader, which has caused a delay in the presentation of the Expenditure in Advance of Appropriation for January to March 2025.
The vote on account is critical to cover government expenditures for the first quarter of 2025 until the next administration presents its budget.
During a session on Tuesday, Minority Chief Whip, Governs Agbodza, criticized the delay, calling it a troubling mystery with potential serious consequences for the outgoing Akufo-Addo administration.
The Minority has called on the government to take swift action to ensure the country’s financial operations run smoothly during this transition period.
“We are here today again, Mr. Speaker, and the Finance Minister is not here. The leader of the opposite side is absent as well. No one is providing any explanation. I hope there’s no conspiracy to prevent this from being addressed before the eighth Parliament expires. There is no reason why a document already in the possession of Mr. Speaker has not been presented, especially when no one from the government is available to discuss it. This is a mystery, Mr. Speaker. Why communicate the document to Parliament if you are not ready to lay it?”
He continued, “Let the public, all government workers, and anyone dependent on the public purse be aware that the Finance Minister has the opportunity to present the expenditure in advance of appropriation. However, they have chosen not to do so for reasons known only to them. If this is not addressed before the eighth Parliament ends, the blame will rest solely on President Akufo-Addo, Dr. Bawumia, and the Finance Minister. They must understand that there are constitutional consequences for failing to fulfill their duties.”
In response, the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, rejected claims that the government is attempting to exert control.
Instead, he suggested that the Finance Minister may be planning to amend the document before presenting it to Parliament.
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