John Kumah
The Deputy Minister of Finance, John Ampotuah Kumah has debunked news trending that the 2022 budget has been rejected by Parliament.
In a post on his Facebook page, the Deputy Minister of Finance also MP for Ejisu explained why the majority walked out of Parliament ahead of Friday’s sitting on the budget approval.
He explained that “Today the Minister of Finance came to Parliament with a prayer to have the opportunity to accommodate the comments made by the minority into the budget”.
Given the key points in the 2022 budget, he said, among requirements were the request to include Keta relief efforts in the estimates and also the request to adjust the E- Levy.
He said, ” These and other requests of the minority led by Haruna Iddrisu require consultation and costing if the minister is to include them in the budget”.
John Kumah added that “Surprisingly the same minority who made the requests and the speaker hallow the minister the opportunity to incorporate their requests”.
He continues that “While refusing the minister the opportunity, the speaker went further to ask the finance minister whose budget is being debated, to leave the chamber. Shocking! At the same time, Johnson Asiedu Nketia NDC General Secretary was .left seated. Mr. Speaker ignored requests to ask all other strangers to leave the chamber and public galleries”.
“The majority are of the view that Mr. Speaker is acting in bad faith and being partisan at such a crucial national junction. The majority is of the view countermand an order by Mr. Speaker for Marshals to take the Finance Minister out. The majority has consequently walked out”.
“Order 109 says the Speaker requires 138 members at least before he can put a question. He may have a quorum to take questions and statements but he needs 138 to put a question.” He narrates.
He concluded by saying “Any decision that is taken with less than 138 people in the chamber is void. Ghanaians should disregard the claim that the budget is rejected”.
BY Daniel Bampoe