The Minority in Parliament has expressed concerns over the absence of the Finance Minister and the Majority Leader, which has delayed the presentation of the Expenditure in Advance of Appropriation for January to March 2025.
The vote on account is essential to cover government expenditures for the first quarter of 2025 until the next administration presents its budget.
Addressing the issue on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, Minority Chief Whip, Governs Agbodza, criticized the delay, calling it a troubling mystery with potentially serious implications for the outgoing Akufo-Addo administration.
The Minority has urged the government to expedite action on the matter to ensure the smooth functioning of the country’s financial operations in the transition period.
“We are here today again, Mr Speaker, the Finance Minister is not here. The leader of the opposite side is not here. Nobody is telling us anything…I hope that there’s no conspiracy to make it impossible for this to be made to be taken until the eighth parliament expires.
“There’s no reason why a document in the possession of Mr Speaker, the document is already here while there’s nobody available in government to hear this. It’s a mystery, Mr Speaker. It is a mystery. Why did you communicate that document to parliament if you are not ready to lay it?
So, Mr Speaker, me, I’ll just leave it here. Let all people, workers in government, all workers in this country, and everybody who draws from the public purse, be aware that the opportunity exists for the Finance Minister to communicate to parliament this document of expenditure in advance of application.
“However, they have decided that for reasons known to them, they are not going to lay that paper. If we get to a point where we are not able to take this under the eighth parliament, the blame should solely be at the doorstep of President Akufo-Addo and Dr Bawumia, and the Finance Minister and they should be aware that there are consequences in the constitution.
“If you fail to discharge your duties, and responsibilities placed on you as a public official, and you fail to do it, there are consequences. They should be ready to face those consequences,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, denied claims that the government is trying to exert control.
Instead, he suggests that there may be plans by the Finance Minister to amend the document for onward presentation.
