Parliament Divided Over 2018 Budget

Parliament yesterday begun debates on Government’s Financial Policy and economic budget statement for the 2018 financial year ending December, 2018 as both sides of the house are divided over major issues raised therein.

The Majority NPP maintained that Ghana is working again in the hands of what they say are better managers of the economy but the Minority NDC thinks otherwise saying they were the better managers.

Minister for Planning, Professor Gyan Baffour who begun the debate said government has reverse all economic indicators which were negative and destructive to the economy under the erstwhile NDC government.

According to him the new administration has also halted the negative growth of the economy which is now witnessing an accelerated positive growth.

Ghana, he said has started working again because excessive borrowing under the previous government has been halted and the rate of borrowing reduced to prudence levels.

The Minority NDC however raised red flags about claims in the 2018 budget and the 2017 budget describing it as full of misplaced priority in terms of resource allocation to Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

Withdraw 2018 Budget

Speaking on the 2017 Economic policy and budget statement, Ranking Member of the Finance committee, Cassiel Ato Forson called for its rejection and immediate withdrawal.

He explained that instead of the finance Minister to have moved a motion for the revised 2017 budget, he rather delivered a statement which contravenes the rules of engagement.

That move he said was illegal and denied Members of Parliament the opportunity to debate and approve or reject the said budget.

Chairman of Finance Committee of Parliament, Dr Mark Assibey Yeboah argued that the NPP are better managers of the economy.

According to him the government has achieved improved macro-economic indicators and shifted economy from taxation to production with positive results.

He noted that any time the NPP was in power, the macro stability of the country was restored.

Source: Christian Kpesese/ thePublisher