The 2024 budget statement and economic policy have not been passed, according to Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin.
According to him, the House will vote next week on whether to approve or reject the budget.
The Majority staged a walkout yesterday, Wednesday, November 29, 2023, during the adoption of the 2024 budget statement, stating the Speaker was behaving in an undesirable and unprofessional manner.
According to them, the Speaker ruled in favour of the Majority side after a voice vote on the floor, only to reverse his decision after the Minority questioned the voice vote and demanded a headcount.
The Speaker has denied using delay tactics to allow non-members of the Minority side to rush in for counting, despite the Speaker’s demand for standing.
He declared on Thursday, November 30, 2023 that “So throughout the practice when it’s an opinion, you say I think, I think, that is opinion I’m expressing. I think the ayes have it. Now an opportunity is created for somebody to challenge the opinion and so when you read 113 (2) it doesn’t talk about ruling, it talks about the opinion that’s why it says a member may call for a headcount or division if the opinion of Mr Speaker on a voice vote is challenged.”
He has since directed the business committee to reschedule the headcount to next week for a final decision to be taken on the budget.
“We don’t have to debate this matter. It is a matter of record and I direct that the business committee should reschedule the issue for next week for us to finally take a decision on the budget. The budget statement and economic policy of the government for the year 2024 is still before the house and so the business committee will reschedule it for next week,” he said.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
