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Parliament has approved the government’s Budget Statement and Economic Policy document for the year 2024.
On Wednesday, December 7, 2023, there was a headcount to determine the level of support for the budget, which was passed with the support of the Majority caucus.
The need for the headcount arose because the Minority in Parliament challenged the initial voice vote held on Wednesday, November 29, where the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, had declared the Majority in favour after the budget debate concluded.
The Minority Caucus contested this decision, leading to heightened tensions and a demand for a headcount.
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In response, the Majority group staged a walkout, intensifying the political standoff.
On the scheduled day for the headcount, both caucuses mobilized their members to the chamber, except the Member of Parliament for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson, who was reportedly abroad in Canada for medical treatment.
At the end of the headcount, these were the results as declared by the Speaker:
Those in favour (NPP MPs) – 138
Those against (NDC MPs) – 136
Absent – 1 (Assin North MP, James Gyakye Quayson)
The vote outcome, marked by the Majority’s numbers, signifies the resolution of the parliamentary impasse and the formal approval of the 2024 budget.
This effectively paves the way for the House to begin considering the estimates for the various ministries.
Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta presented the budget statement to Parliament on 15th November 2023 followed by two weeks of debate by members.
