Alexander Afenyo-Markin
The Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has warned that the ongoing impasse in Parliament could jeopardise the timely payment of public servants’ salaries next year.
According to him, if the current chaos in the House is not resolved promptly, it may hinder the passage of the budget statement for the first quarter of 2025.
The Minister of Finance, Dr. Amin Adam, is scheduled to present the first quarter 2025 budget statement—referred to as the Expenditure in Advance of Appropriation—to the House for consideration and approval.
This presentation will outline the projected revenue and expenditure from January to March, providing a glimpse into the country’s financial priorities for the upcoming quarter.
The Expenditure in Advance of Appropriation is a critical document that enables the government to incur expenses before the approval of the main appropriation act.
Speaking to the media in Parliament after the Speaker once again adjourned the House indefinitely, Mr. Afenyo-Markin expressed concern that given the stance taken by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) caucus, it appears the appropriation bill may not be passed.
He noted that this delay could disrupt essential government services, postpone the payment of salaries to public and civil servants, and impact thousands of households that rely on these wages.
The Majority Leader criticised the Minority caucus, accusing them of attempting to sabotage the payment of public servants’ salaries, and urged the media to hold them accountable.
The standoff has already led Speaker Alban S.K. Bagbin to indefinitely adjourn Parliament, citing a lack of legislative business.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin further accused the Minority of conspiring with the Speaker to obstruct the passage of key legislation, including the Free Senior High School (SHS) bill.
“Their main target is the Free SHS bill. They opposed its pre-announcement of introduction to Parliament,” he stated, adding that the current impasse gives them an opportunity to prevent the Free SHS bill from becoming law.
“Don’t be swayed by their lies and propaganda. The chaos they started in 2021 is how they want to end it. We will not allow it. Right now, what the NDC (Minority) has essentially done is this: they do not want Ghanaians to receive their pay as public servants. They know that after the elections, there will be no budget.
“To pay workers, we need budget approval in the first quarter of next year (2025). It’s a constitutional requirement, and they are trying to obstruct it,” he asserted.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin indicated that his side would seek to engage with the Speaker in the coming days to address these issues.
By Ernest Kofi Adu, Parliament House