2022 Budget approval unconstitutional- Minority in Parliament
According to them, the move contravenes Article 104(3) of the Constitution, 1992, and Parliament’s standing order 109.
The Minority caucus in Ghana’s Parliament has described the approval of the 2022 budget by the Majority side in their absence as unconstitutional.
According to them, the move contravenes Article 104(3) of the Constitution, 1992, and Parliament’s standing order 109.
Addressing a Press Conference on Tuesday, November 30, 2021, the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu further noted that a purposive interpretation of the two legal provisions mentioned supra, makes it evident that illegality was perpetrated on the part of the Majority due to their lack of the required numbers for the purported approval.
“Therefore if they claim that they respect the Constitution, they must respect the fact that today’s decision is a constitutional nullity because the Deputy Speaker has no original or casting vote. Nothing more. And therefore, they were at best, 137”, he said.
The Majority in Parliament yesterday, November 30, approved the 2022 budget statement in the absence of the Minority Members of Parliament.
The proceedings were delayed for several hours due to meetings between the Majority and Minority leadership.
However, when discussions began on the floor of the House, the Minority MP’s had boycotted the session.
A week ago, the Minority leadership had on a 137 vote, rejected the 2022 budget statement.
According to the Majority, the act by the Minority failed to meet the constitutional requirement of 138 MPs present in the House before a decision can be made.
Upon a motion by Majority leader Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, the House voted, and First Deputy Speaker, Joseph Osei Owusu ruled that the earlier decision by the Minority members had no effect and was in violation of Article 104 (1).
The First Deputy Speaker, Joseph Osei Owusu also counted himself as an MP, hence, giving the Majority Caucus 138 members to pass the votes.
Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta who was present at the House, said at committee meetings, it would address the concerns of the Minority in its Sunday letter of November 28, 2021.
On the E-levy for instance, the Minister said discussions were ongoing with telecommunications companies to scale back the tax, to moderate the impact on Ghanaians.
Moreover, Hon. Iddrisu mentioned that hitherto, his side would resort to the use of headcounts in determining issues due to the conduct of the Majority side thus stressing that “cooperation has suffered” and therefore, the Minority will take a cue from it and be advised accordingly.
