News:
March 16, 2017
The Minority National Democratic Congress (NDC) Caucus in Parliament, Wednesday, abstained from approving the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government of Ghana for the 2017 financial year.
Moments after the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Majority Leader, Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, concluded his submission on the debate on the 2017 budget, majority of the NDC MPs walk out from the chamber, leaving their leadership at the front role of their side of the House.
When the Finance Minister, Hon. Williams Ken Ofori-Atta, rounded up the debate and thanked the House for indulging him, the Speaker then went ahead to call for the voice in approving the budget statement.
When the question for those in favour of the motion was put before the House, the Majority side responded “Ayes”. However, when the question for those in against the motion was put before the House, the Minority side abstained from the voice vote.
The Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, had earlier indicated that his side of the House will not be part in approving the 2017 Budget and Economic Policy of the Government of Ghana.
He had told the House that once the government intends to use oil revenue (thus the Annual Budget Funding Amount (ABFA) to finance the free SHS policy and the National Health Insurance Scheme, the Minority caucus will abstain from approving the 2017 budget.
On Tuesday, March 14, 2017, the Minority Chief Whip, Hon. Mohammed Mubarak-Muntaka also served notice that the NDC MPs will not be part in approving the Budget if the government goes ahead to slash the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) by 25%.