The Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, has underscored the significance of a budget document as a reflection of national priorities.
According to him, the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government is one of the most significant policy documents in the governance of the nation because it is a blueprint containing fiscal policy measures that reflect collective vision, priorities, and aspirations.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of a two two-post-budget workshop on the 2025 Budget held in Parliament on Saturday, March 15, the Clerk emphasised the need for MPs to scrutinize the document critically to ensure that government expenditure aligns with the needs of the citizens.
Parliament commenced its 2025 Post-Budget Workshop to equip Members of Parliament (MPs) with the knowledge and expertise necessary for scrutinizing the Government’s Budget Statement and Economic Policy.
The workshop, held under the auspices of the Parliamentary Service, is designed to deepen MPs’ understanding of the budget’s technical details to enable them to effectively perform their constitutional mandate of budget scrutiny, approval, and oversight.
Mr. Ebenezer Djietror reiterated that Parliament’s oversight of the national budget is a cornerstone of good governance, citing former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who once noted that “Good governance is perhaps the single most important factor in eradicating poverty and promoting development.”
According to him, the 2025 Budget should be assessed on its ability to address key national concerns, including job creation, poverty reduction, and equitable access to essential services.
“Through rigorous scrutiny of the 2025 Budget Statement and Economic Policy, Members of the Ninth Parliament can ensure that it effectively addresses crucial issues,” he stressed.
The workshop features plenary and breakout sessions that will provide in-depth discussions on various aspects of the 2025 Budget. Some key topics to be covered include:
- The macroeconomic and fiscal environment of the 2025 Budget
- Public sector debt management
- Revenue mobilization and taxation strategies
- Policy objectives and sector estimates
- Programme-Based Budgeting (PBB)
Additionally, breakout sessions will focus on 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 subject central to Ghana’s economic transformation agenda.
Mr. Dijetor encouraged MPs to engage actively in discussions, challenge assumptions, and apply evidence-based analysis in evaluating fiscal policies.
“Superior argument backed by data should not elude the parliamentarian, which all of you Hon. Members herein gathered aspire to be,” he said.
The Clerk expressed appreciation to the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament, the Ministry of Finance, the Parliamentary Training Institute, and Officers of the Parliamentary Service for their contributions in organizing the workshop.
He stressed that the workshop presents the opportunity to ask the tough questions, challenge assumptions, and ensure that the 2025 Budget Statement and Economic Policy truly serves the people.
The workshop is expected to enhance MPs’ capacity to engage meaningfully as Parliament prepares to debate and approve the national budget, ensuring that fiscal policies align with the country’s developmental needs.