News:
November 9, 2026
Majority Leader James Agalga has strongly defended the decision to hold the upcoming post-budget workshop in Ho, rejecting a request by Okaikwei Member of Parliament Patrick Boamah to reschedule the venue to Parliament. Boamah had urged leadership to move the workshop to the parliamentary chamber to save costs and ensure the safety of MPs, citing ongoing road construction on the Accra-Ho stretch of the highway.
In his response, Agalga noted that the Ho venue is one that Parliament has used before, adding that the concerns raised about safety are manageable. “I know we have very good drivers in our midst,” he said, noting that the contractors working on the roads have deployed appropriate signage to guide travelers. He also pointed out that Ho is not far from Accra, dismissing the suggestion that the distance poses a significant challenge.
The Majority Leader was candid about the real reason for choosing an off-site venue, explaining that when post-budget workshops are staged in the parliamentary chamber, attendance is usually very poor. He attributed this to the tendency of some members to engage in other activities while still attending the workshop concurrently, undermining the purpose of the exercise.
“Let’s just be careful, the venue is carefully chosen,” Agalga told the House. He explained that holding the workshop in Ho ensures that members can be housed together so that they devote all their time to the budget. The post-budget workshop, he stressed, is meant to equip MPs sufficiently well to be able to have an informed debate in the House.
The Majority Leader therefore urged his colleagues, particularly those calling for a change of venue, to support the proposed location. “We cannot close over that,” he said, emphasizing that the integrity of the budget review process depends on full participation and focus.
The exchange highlights the leadership’s determination to prioritize substantive engagement over convenience, with Agalga insisting that the Ho venue remains the best option for ensuring members are fully prepared for the budget debate.
Dominic Shirimori/Ghanamps.com