The Minority leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has described the 2025 Economic Budget presented by the Finance minister as an “Azaa budget”, meaning a deceptive budget.
He criticised the budget for failing to include the much-touted 24-hour economy policy promised by the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Speaking on the floor of Parliament after Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson presented the budget statement on Tuesday, March 11, Mr Afenyo-Markin expressed disappointment over the absence of the policy, which he claimed was a major campaign promise of President John Mahama and the NDC.
“Mr Speaker, we have witnessed what we can best describe as an ‘Azaa budget’. Their much-talked-about 24-hour economy—where is it? The President came here and said it was already in motion. Now, the Finance Minister presents the budget, and there is no mention of it,” he stated.
According to him, Ghanaian youth had high expectations for the 24-hour economy policy, hoping it would create jobs and drive economic transformation. However, he noted that the Finance Minister failed to outline any concrete plans for its implementation.
“Mr Speaker, the youth of this country have been waiting for this 24-hour economy policy, yet the Minister tells us it will be brought later. Eii, Ato! So all the jobs they promised were merely an ‘Azaa’ promise?” he quizzed.
For this reason, he believes there is no inspiration and hope in the budget presented and that it is just a repetition of existing social intervention programmes.