Ato Forson Kicks Against Parliament Considering New Deals That Will Hinder Mahama: “No Way”

• Minority leader Cassiel Ato Forson argued against Parliament approving a number of new agreements
• Forson said some of the deals would negatively hamper the incoming Mahama administration's budget
• The Speaker of Parliament had urged MPs to prioritise key business because of the limited time available for business

Minority leader Cassiel Ato Forson argued against Parliament approving a number of new deals with implications on the national purse.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Forson said some of the deals would negatively hamper the incoming Mahama administration's budget.

He expressed reservations about some matters for consideration, such as $350 million worth of tax waivers.

The minority has voiced opposition to tax waiver agreements in the past.

"It would be wrong for an outgoing government to commit an incoming government to millions of US dollars, which would put a fiscal strain on the next budget."

Forson also said such important matters would be better off handled by the next government.

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The Manhyia South MP Matthew Opoku Prempeh argued similarly when he addressed the House.

He cheekily said halting non-essential business would align with the National Democratic Congress' reset agenda following their election victory.

"The new government then should come and start, and I agree. Ghanaians voted for a resetting...We should not continue with any business here."

Finance Minister Mohammed Amin Adam is expected to table expenditure in advance of appropriation for January to March 2025 tomorrow.

House Speaker Bagbin had urged MPs to prioritise key business because of the limited time available for business.

The budget for the first quarter of 2025, the third reading of the Environmental Protection Bill, and the Ghana Boundary Commission Bill were atop the list of priorities, per Parliament observer Odekro.

Previous impasse in Parliament

YEN.com.gh reported that Parliament has been at an impasse which halted government business for the past two months.

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The impasse started after Bagbin declared the seats for Fomena, Amenfi Central, Suhum, and Agona West vacant because their parliamentarians were contesting the 2024 election on a different ticket.

Bagbin also followed the precedent set by immediate-past Speaker of Parliament Aaron Mike Oquaye, who declared the seat of the Fomena MP vacant in 2020 under similar circumstances without any legal pushback.

This led to boycotts from the majority MPs because the declaration negatively affected their side, reducing their seats in Parliament to less than those of the minority MPs.

His actions were, however, shot down by the Supreme Court after a legal challenge.

Source: YEN.com.gh