Minority Seek Refuge In The Return Of Bagbin Over 2022 Budget Impasse

The Minority Caucus in Parliament has said it will further pursue its resolution to throw out the 2021 Budget Statement and Economic policy with the Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Sumana Bagbin when he returns to Ghana today, December 14.

The Speaker of Parliament left the country for Dubai to undertake a medical review Saturday, November 27 after he superintended over a vote against the 2022 budget statement and economic policy of the government on November 26.

Following his departure, the Parliament, on November 30, under the leadership of the First Deputy Speaker, Joe Osei-Owusu, voted to adopt the 2022 budget statement and economic policy of the government after the minority side boycotted the sittings.

The minority later filed a motion against the approval of the budget on the basis that the First Deputy Speaker (also MP for Bekwai) who mounted the seat of the absent Speaker of Parliament had no right to count himself as part of the present MPs.

According to the Minority, there was no quorum for voting, therefore classifying the approval of the budget as unconstitutional.

However, the Acting Speaker of Parliament, in response stated that the motion was not admitted.

The Minority in its recent letter responding to the rejection of the motion described the action of the Bekwai MP as unconstitutional.

“With respect, the reliance on the Standing Order 13(2) as the basis, for your refusal, to admit the motion is misconceived and smacks of an abuse of discretionary power contrary to Article 296 of the 1992 constitution.”

It added that “Your conduct confronts Orders 79, 81, 82, and 90 of our standing Orders and can no longer be tolerated”.

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini