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Parliament has rejected an Executive recommendation for the reduction of its Capex and that of the Judiciary in the 2021 budget estimates.
The budget for Parliament has been reduced by GH¢119,846,911.00 for the 2021 fiscal year while that of the Judiciary has been reduced by GH¢77,482,591.00.
Speaker of the House, Rtd Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin disclosed this at the commencement of debate on the 2021 Budget and Financial Estimates on Tuesday 16th March 2021.
A letter from the Presidency tasked the House to cap the estimates of Parliament and the Judiciary to enable the Government to contain the overall expenditure for 2021.
The Speaker, however, indicated it is not for the Executive to impose a ceiling on the Judiciary and the Judicial Service or Parliament and the Parliamentary Service.
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He described the decision as very low and below the belt and stressed the Legislature and Judiciary are Arms of Government hence would not take any capping, which is like that of a ministry.
Speaker Bagbin, at the commencement of the debate, read a letter from the Executive Secretary to the President, Nana Asante Bediatuo, informing the House that the Executive, per Section 15(A) of the Parliamentary Service Act, Act 460, 1993, as amended, could not accommodate the request of Parliament on how much it put forward.
“In view of the reduced fiscal space in the national budget as a result of statutory and debt service obligations, we cannot accept the request by Parliament.”
“We kindly suggest that Parliament and the Parliamentary Service operate within the budget while we explore the opportunities to increase allocation in subsequence when revenue is improved and debt has stabilized,“ part of the letter read.
Speaker ASK Bagbin indicated that in view of the urgency of the matter he quickly drew the attention of the Secretary to the President in a letter dated March 16, 2021, that he was unable not accept the letter.
He explained that the wording and import of the letter did no convey a recommendation as stipulated by Article 127 and 179 of the 1992 Constitution and Section 15 (a) of the Parliamentary Service Act 1993, Act 460 but was rather an imperative to Parliament to keep within the expenditure estimates by Government.
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According to him, Parliament has the final power to approve or disapprove the budget.
He said, “The Constitution has made for the Executive to make recommendations and negotiate during the deliberations of the budget, and not for the Executive to impose a ceiling on the Judiciary or Parliament.”
“We have to do the proper thing.”
He, however, urged the members of the relevant committees to take the matter on board during the consideration of the estimates and inform the plenary as to the negotiated figure and not the ceiling given by the President.
He warned if that is not done he will not append to any letter for submission to the President.
He warned, “The weakest link in our democracy is Parliament and because of that, we are unable to control things like corruption; we are not able to hold the Executive to account; we are not able to get the rule of law going.”
He stressed the legislature as an arm of government is expected to lead and assured that so far as he remains the Speaker of the House, he will insist the right thing is done.
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Frontpageghana.com/Ghana/Uthman Marani
