NDC MPs assure ‘no cause for alarm’ as finance minister fails to present mini budget

The minority caucus in Parliament (NDC MPs) has assured Ghanaians that the approval of the budget for the first quarter of 2025 will be addressed after 7th January 2025, following the swearing-in of President-elect John Mahama.

This assurance comes amidst uncertainty over government business for the first quarter of next year due to the Finance Minister, Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, failing to present the mini-budget in Parliament on Friday, 20th December.

Reacting to the situation during a news conference and a subsequent press statement on 20th December, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, Leader of the NDC Minority caucus, criticised the outgoing NPP government for not complying with Article 180 of the Constitution, which requires the presentation of expenditure in advance of appropriation.

He remarked:

In the spirit of a good transition, we had expected that the outgoing President, acting pursuant to Article 180 of the Constitution, would act in good faith and bring before this House a proposal for expenditures to cater for the first quarter of 2025. Sadly, President Akufo-Addo plans to leave public services uncatered for in the first quarter of 2025.

Dr Ato Forson, however, reassured Ghanaians, stating that expenditure for the first quarter would be presented when the incoming NDC government officially assumes office on 7th January 2025.

There is no cause for alarm! Even though there will be no Minister of Finance on 7th January, 2025, the Vice President can present to this House the expenditure in advance of Appropriation any time after swearing-in on the 7th and Parliament will be properly constituted to expedite approval of the same.

The minority caucus expressed deep disappointment in the outgoing Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government’s posture, warning that it would bear responsibility for all unmet commitments and obligations of state from 1st January to 7th January 2025.

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