Parliament is expected to conclude the debate on the 2019 budget later today; Thursday, November 29, 2018.
The budget, which was presented to the house by the Finance Minister on November 15, has been debated for the past seven sitting days with contributions from members focusing on various sectors of the economy.
[contextly_sidebar id=”HyxQfJ2KqZCmZRCv2yuJ8jNrRIl07PJF”]A clash of ideas from the leaders of the two sides of the house, the majority and the minority is expected to climax the debate.
Afterwards, the house will vote on the government’s 2019 budget and financial policy statement.
Deputy Majority Chief Whip, Moses Anim, who confirmed the conclusion on the floor of the house said, the finality of the debate was in line with standard financial policies.”
“Based on the financial policy of the government of Ghana ending 31st December, 2019, [the debate] is scheduled to continue within the week under consideration, and is expected to conclude on Thursday 29th November 2018.”
Finance Minister presents 2019 budget
A fortnight ago, the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, presented the 2019 budget statement and financial policy of the government to Parliament.
It was themed “a stronger economy for jobs and prosperity”
Ofori-Atta touched on all sectors of the economy including agriculture manufacturing, waste management, aviation among others.
He also briefed Parliament on government’s social intervention programmes including the free Senior High School programme, NABCO, one district one factory, planting for food jobs, adding that they also intend to introduce rearing for food in 2019.
Prior to the presentation, President Nana Akufo-Addo said that the budget will bring hope to Ghanaians, amid times he himself has described as difficult.
He said the 2019 budget will “reflect the hope Ghanaians have in the government and the future of the country”.
2019 budget ‘full of slogans and propaganda’ – Muntaka
Minority Chief Whip, Muntaka Mubarak, pooh-poohed government’s 2019 budget statement.
The MP said the budget presented nothing new, given that it failed to outline how it will address the challenges Ghanaians are battling with.
He believes the budget was only full of slogans and propaganda.
“I was not expecting anything extraordinary, and I am not surprised. I have looked at the pattern of the budget since 2017, and one thing I have noticed they are good at is the slogans. You coin a slogan, and then you do propaganda around it, and then you move on. One of the major challenges of the ordinary Ghanaian today is the unnecessary hardship. Fuel prices are going up because of the price of fuel. Taxi fares, lorry fares, food prices are going up. People are losing their jobs. Most of the media houses are laying off people. A lot of companies are shutting down, and I thought that they were going to use this to address some of these concerns.
‘Insincere budget’
Meanwhile, Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, also described the 2019 budget as insincere.
He said the 2019 budget was not different from the two other budgets presented by the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori- Atta.
“The media must point out the lack of candour and sincerity on the part of the Minister. Go and flip through the pages on roads and you realize they are the exact words in 2017, repeated in 2018 and in 2019…In any case, teachers’ allowances are in arrears, nurses allowances are in arrears.”
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By: Nii Larte Lartey & Duke Mensah Opoku | citinewsroom.com | Ghana
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