Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has emphasized the critical need for Members of Parliament (MPs) to thoroughly understand both the policy and financial aspects of the 2025 budget before its approval.
Speaking at the opening session of a three-day post-budget workshop on Saturday, March 15, 2024, he noted that while MPs may be experts in their respective fields, parliamentary governance and politics require deep learning and analytical skills.
He urged MPs to fully engage in the training sessions to enhance their oversight capabilities and contribute meaningfully to debates on the floor of the House.
The workshop is designed to provide MPs with a deeper understanding of the 2025 budget, ensuring they can scrutinize allocations and hold the government accountable.
Afenyo-Markin stressed the importance of budget securitization, using the agricultural sector as an example.
“For instance, the Minister of Finance tells us there’s GH¢1.5 billion for agriculture. But if you look at the expenditure column, you realize that some GH¢900 million-plus has been allocated, and a chunk of it is for compensation. So, your own agri-policy, what are you doing?” he questioned.
He also pointed out discrepancies in funding priorities, noting that while the school feeding program has been allocated over GH¢2 billion, other critical sectors receive significantly less. According to him, MPs must be equipped with such insights to effectively oversee government spending.
Afenyo-Markin encouraged first-time MPs to remain committed to the process and use the opportunity to sharpen their legislative skills.
“Don’t see this as a boring process. Don’t be too expectant, but participate, spend time, don’t walk in and walk out. Stay in, build capacity, and build confidence,” he advised.
Reflecting on his own early days as a backbencher, he reassured MPs that regardless of their committee placements, they have the potential to make a significant impact.
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga in his address, underscored the workshop’s role in helping MPs comprehend both the policy statements and financial estimates within the budget. He stressed that the budget is not just about numbers but about the commitments made to Ghanaians.
“We all appreciate that it is our responsibility to either pass or reject budgets, and that is precisely what we are here to do—to review the budget, understand it, debate it, and decide if we will approve or reject it,” Ayariga stated.
He challenged the Majority Caucus to ensure that the budget aligns with the promises made to Ghanaians, reinforcing the government’s agenda to ‘reset Ghana.’
Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson, in his remarks, described the workshop as a valuable platform for assessing the budget ahead of the approval. He outlined the core objectives of the 2025 budget, which he said is centered on “resetting the Ghanaian economy for the people of Ghana.”
Acknowledging the country’s economic difficulties, Ato Forson assured MPs that innovative strategies have been put in place to address them.
“We recognize that our economy is in crisis, but most importantly, we have put in place innovative strategies and interventions to resolve these challenges,” he stated.
He appealed to MPs to support the budgetary measures and pass the necessary legislation required to operationalize the government’s plans.
The workshop features plenary and breakout sessions focusing on various aspects of the 2025 Budget, including:
– The macroeconomic and fiscal environment
– Public sector debt management
– Revenue mobilization and taxation strategies
– Policy objectives, sector estimates, and Programme-Based Budgeting (PBB)
Breakout sessions will delve into critical sectors such as education, health, agriculture, employment generation, and infrastructure. The workshop will conclude with a plenary session on the ’24-Hour Economy and the 2025 Budget’, a topic central to the government’s economic transformation agenda.
