2023 Budget Approved!

By Justice Dzido On Dec 7, 2022

Yesterday, Tuesday, December 6, Parliament approved the 2023 Budget Statement and Economic Policy despite fierce opposition from the Minority on the revenue mobilization measures.

The House, has since November 29^,debated the Budget statement after embattled Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, on November 24, presented same and moved the motion to request Parliament’s approval.

On the Floor yesterday, the New Patriotic party (NPP) Majority Group managed to get in enough members on their side just in time to approve the Budget statement despite consistent objections from Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu.

““Mr. Speaker without going further we in the NDC minority group will fiercely resist and fight the imposition of this additional tax on Ghanaians and Ghanaian businesses because Mr. Speaker it will only exacerbate and increase the hardship they’re already going through, will increase the cost of doing business for many Ghanaians, and it will make it difficult for ordinary Ghanaians to cope”, Haruna Iddrisu noted

He argued further: “Mr Speaker, if I say that our country is in deep crisis and President Akufo-Addo himself has accepted that the country is in crisis but what he failed to add was to take responsibility for leading the country into this economic crisis. The president must gather the courage and take full responsibility.

“In this budget, the Minister of Finance is introducing 23 tax measures and a 2.5% VAT rate (increase). We the NDC minority group will fearlessly resist and fight the imposition of these additional taxes,” Haruna Iddrisu argued.

Appropriation Bill.

Yesterday approval of the 2023 Budget Statement and Economic Policy is just the first stage on the entire consideration process to allow for the MPs to begin detailed consideration of the various estimates of ministries, departments and agencies which would be referred to their respective Committees for consideration.

The Finance Minister cannot start to spend until the House had met to consider and approve the Appropriation Act.