Parliament has finally approved the 2024 budget statement and economic policy of government despite stiff opposition from members of the Minority National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The Majority caucus was able to marshal all their members in the House yesterday for the approval of the budget.
After a diligent headcount on the floor of parliament, the Majority caucus had 138 votes while the minority caucus had 136 votes.
Announcing the results of the headcount, Speaker Bagbin, said, “At the end of the headcount, the ‘ayes’ had 138, Nos were 136, one absent. The ayes have it. The 2024 budget has been approved.”
It would be recalled that Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin, on Wednesday, November 29, declared a voice vote on the approval of the budget in favour of the Majority after the conclusion of the debate.
However, the Minority Caucus challenged the ruling and opted for a headcount, forcing the Majority group to stage a walkout.
The Speaker, Alban Bagbin, subsequently announced that the headcount vote would be conducted December 7, 2023 on the approval of the budget to pave the way for the approval of budget estimates.