Ken Ofori-Atta
Speaker of Parliament, Alban S.K Bagbin wants the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, to return to Parliament with the revised version of the 2022 budget.
According to him, the revised version of the budget captured in a letter presented to him by the Finance Minister were only “indications of intent” and must be formalized.”
Addressing Parliament on Thursday December 16, 2021, the Speaker stated there was the need for the Finance Minister to come to Parliament with those modifications, concessions or amendments specifically captured in the documents to make them known, so the House could officially accept them.
He explained that it is the right way to do things because he wants things done base on a path that is faithful to law, respects our rules and processes and ensures the governance of the country does not grind to a halt.
Speaker Bagbin stressed that “Those modifications, amendments and concessions will then be adopted by the House and the revised documents in the estimates will stand committed to the various committees of Parliament.”
He therefore asked the various committees in Parliament which have begun considering estimates from the initial budget presented by the Finance Minister to reconcile the revised estimates with what they have hitherto considered and submit a report for the consideration of the House.
Giving an example as to why this was necessary, he cited government’s intent to allocate GH¢10 million for feasibility studies for the Blekusu sea defence project, noting that “That GH¢10 million will definitely be taken from another item that has been captured in what has been presented.”
By Vincent Kubi