News:
November 30, 2021
Parliament has approved government’s 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy, presented to the House by the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, on November 17, 2021.
The Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Memnsa Bonsu pleaded with the Speaker to uphold the motion and set aside the impropriety conducted in rejecting the budget statement last Friday, 26th November 2021.
In his plead, he relied on Order 109(1) and Article 104 (1) of the Constitution both of which called for not less than one-half of all Members of Parliament present to take decisions. He said the 137 that rejected the budget statement did not meet the Constitutional requirement as contained in Article 104(1).
“Mr. Speaker, it is clear, as I have registered that the number that was invoked, the Article that was invoked was insufficient to cover the determination of the question that was proposed for the support or rejection of the budget.”
The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei Owusu who chaired proceedings subsequently upheld the motion and declared the budget rejection as having no effect.
However, with the Minority side of the House absent during the sitting on Tuesday, November 30, 2021, the 138 majority members in parliament, including the Speaker, approved the budget statement through a voice vote.
A one sided 137 Minority members rejected the Budget Statement last Friday November 26, 2021, but this would be overturned by the majority side of the House.
Ghanamps.com