Ghana Government Shutdown Feared After Parliament Adjourns To 2025 Without Mini-Budget Presentation

• Parliament has been adjourned to January 2, 2025, without the finance minister presenting the mini-budget
• The government has not given a reason for not presenting the budget amid fears of a government shutdown
• Minority Leader Dr Cassiel Ato Forson blamed President Akufo-Addo for the non-presentation of the mini-budget

Parliament has been adjourned to January 2, 2025, without presenting a mini-budget that traditionally follows a general election.

Finance Minister Dr Mohammed Amin Adam did not present the mini-budget before the close of the current session. The finance ministry has not given a reason for this lapse, which could cause a government shutdown.

Reuters reported that the finance minister had initially set a November 15 deadline for presenting the provisional budget.

When Parliament resumed, the Speaker of Parliament wanted to prioritise the mini-budget for the first quarter of 2025.

Speaking to the press after adjourning, Minority Leader Dr Cassiel Ato Forson expressed disappointment in the finance ministry and blamed President Akufo-Addo.

Read also

Mahama tells EC to be consistent concerning decisions about disputed parliamentary results

“In the spirit of a good transition, It is expected that the outgoing president, acting pursuant to article 180 of the constitution, could have acted in good faith and brought before Parliament a proposal for the expenditure to cater for the first quarter of the year 2025."

However, he assured that the incoming Mahama administration would rectify this challenge as soon as possible after the handover.

On the other hand, Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin blamed the challenges on the minority group's lawlessness.

However, he assured that the Finance Minister would lay out the expenditures in advance of appropriation when the House resumed on January 2, 2024.

Lack of cooperation in Parliament

YEN.com.gh reported that the minority and majority sides have been at odds with each other starting with the Speaker Alban Bagbin crippling the majority by temporarily declaring three of its seats vacant.

This led to an impasse, which halted government business because of boycotts from both sides of the House. This impasse has continued following the 2024 general election.

Read also

Starbucks workers to start US strike on Friday: union

The most recent standoffs also centred around contentions over some tax waivers.

Source: YEN.com.gh