About 98 majority MPs are calling for the removal of the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta over the country’s economic woes, and have threatened to boycott the 2023 budget presentation.
But in a press statement issued by the Assin Central legislator, he said, “Over the last few days, however, I have become aware of a troubling public declaration of intention by some aggrieved New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament that they will neither attend Thursday’s sitting of Parliament nor have anything to do with subsequent Parliamentary discussions and debate on the 2023 Budget should Mr Ofori-Atta be the Minister presenting it to the House.”
“The said MPs have openly stated that they will only attend proceedings if Mr Ofori-Atta, who they – rightly or wrongly – blame for the country’s prevailing economic difficulties, is removed from office. I find the said public declarations not only unfortunate but regrettable”.
He stated that it’s incumbent on the majority MPs to help the government pass its budget, stressing that they can later address the issue, as to who fits to lead the Ministry of Finance.
The outspoken lawmaker advised his colleagues to show up in Parliament during the budget presentation, adding that the time to play political games is not now.
“Ghanaians need, therefore, their elected representatives to show up for work and help them survive the worsening global economic turmoil. It is not the time to play political games or feed egos. I firmly believe that if there is ever any time that Ghanaians expect us to do our duty to Ghana unconditionally, it is now. We must not and cannot sacrifice that responsibility to our people on the side issue of who presents the 2023 Budget to Parliament. Let us show leadership and demonstrate solidarity with the struggling masses of our people by turning out in our numbers to support the President’s proposed plan to put Ghana back on the path of economic recovery and triumph,” he entreated in his statement.
Read below Mr. Kennedy Agyapong’s statement:
Statement by Kennedy Agyapong calling on all Majority Members of Parliament to Attend and Participate fully in the 2023 Budget Presentation, related discussions, debate and approval.
The Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, is expected to present to Parliament the 2023 Budget and Economic Policy of the Government of Ghana on Thursday, November 24, 2022.
Mr Ofori-Atta will be presenting the budget to Parliament for and on behalf of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on the authority of Article 179(1) of Ghana’s Constitution of 1992, which commands the President to “cause to be prepared and laid before Parliament at least one month before the end of the financial year, estimates of the revenues and expenditure of the Government of Ghana for the following financial year.”
Over the last few days, however, I have become aware of a troubling public declaration of intention by some aggrieved New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament that they will neither attend Thursday’s sitting of Parliament nor have anything to do with subsequent Parliamentary discussions and debate on the 2023 Budget should Mr Ofori-Atta be the Minister presenting it to the House.
The said MPs have openly stated that they will only attend proceedings if Mr Ofori-Atta, who they – rightly or wrongly – blame for the country’s prevailing economic difficulties, is removed from office. I find the said public declarations not only unfortunate but regrettable.