Accra, Ghana \u2013 Government expenditure for the first quarter of 2025 hangs in the balance as Parliament fails to approve the Expenditure on Account mandated under Article 180 of the 1992 Constitution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The stalemate follows the indefinite adjournment of Parliament on Friday, December 18, 2024, by Speaker Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, with no sign of progress on the budget proposal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The impasse has sparked a blame game between the Majority and Minority leadership, each accusing the other of derailing the constitutional process meant to ensure financial continuity during election-related transitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking to the press shortly after Parliament\u2019s adjournment, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minority Leader, criticized the Akufo-Addo-led government for failing to fulfill its constitutional obligation to present the expenditure proposal in advance of appropriation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe NPP government has failed to comply with Article 180 of the Constitution to make interim financial provisions for the first quarter of 2025,\u201d he said. \u201cIn the spirit of good transition, it was expected that the outgoing President would act in good faith and submit the proposal to Parliament.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr. Forson assured Ghanaians that the incoming NDC government, expected to take office on January 7, 2025, would prioritize the approval of the expenditure plan. \u201cThere is no cause for alarm. The Vice President can present the proposal to this House immediately after swearing-in, and Parliament will expedite the process to ensure public servants are not affected,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, the Majority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo Markin, refuted the Minority\u2019s claims, accusing them of obstructing government business since November.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are ready to proceed with the Expenditure on Account. It is the lawless NDC Minority that has been obstructing the process,\u201d Afenyo Markin stated during a press conference. \u201cIf the Speaker reconvenes Parliament before December 31, we will ensure this important business is addressed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The failure to approve the budget raises significant concerns about the government\u2019s ability to meet its financial obligations in the first quarter of 2025, including funding essential public services and ensuring a smooth political transition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Article 180 of the Constitution requires the government to present an Expenditure on Account when a full Appropriation Act will not take effect by the beginning of the financial year. With less than two weeks left in the year, the absence of a budget casts doubt on Ghana\u2019s fiscal stability heading into 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Observers are urging Parliament to reconvene swiftly to prevent disruptions to public service delivery and maintain confidence in Ghana\u2019s governance processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Source: Clement Apologize\/\/parliamentnews360.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Government expenditure for the first quarter of 2025 hangs in the balance as Parliament fails to approve the Expenditure on Account mandated under Article 180 of the 1992 Constitution.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2003,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[51],"tags":[200,153,1012,1180],"class_list":{"0":"post-2000","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-general-news","8":"tag-alban-sumana-kingsford-bagbin","9":"tag-alexander-kwamena-afenyo-markin","10":"tag-dr-cassiel-ato-baah-forson","11":"tag-expenditure-on-account"},"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\t\n