APA – Accra (Ghana)
The Speaker’s clarification on the Budget Statement and the Economic Policy of the government for the year ending December 31, 2024 is one of the leading stories in the Ghanaian press on Friday.
The Graphic reports that the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Bagbin, has clarified that the Budget Statement and the Economic Policy of the government for the year ending December 31, 2024 is still before the House.
He said the final decision on the budget statement would be taken next week, Thursday, December 7, 2023 and therefore, directed the Business Committee of the House to reschedule the issue for next week.
“The Budget Statement and the Economic Policy of the government for the year ending December 31, 2024 is still before the House and it is not hanging,” he said.
Setting the record straight on whether the House approved or not the motion for the budget statement on Wednesday, Mr Bagbin said “Nobody has hanged the budget statement on any tree or anything.”
“It is still before House and it is not a matter that the Speaker should be seen or heard debating in public because it is still before the House and the final decision will be taken mostly likely next week,” he said.
The Speaker gave the clarification after the Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, had drawn the House’s attention to public perception that the House had approved the budget statement contrary to what was captured in Wednesday’s Votes and Proceedings.
The Ghanaian Times says that the government has pledged its commitment to support local producers to help boost their capacity to meet the nation’s consumption needs.
Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, made the pledge at the five-day agriculture festival to herald this year’s National Farmers’ Day.
Dubbed “AGRIFEST 2023”, the event, which was held within the Ministries enclave, was to showcase various agricultural products, services and equipment.
Speaking to journalists after a tour of the agricultural produce and machinery on display, Mr Ofori-Atta stressed the importance of reducing reliance on imports and promoting self-sufficiency.
“In the face of possible import restrictions, the government is prepared to stand behind our local producers. We acknowledge their crucial role in the economic landscape, and our commitment is to ensure their prosperity,” stated the Finance Minister.
That, he said, aligned with the government’s broader economic growth strategy, aimed at fortifying local productive capacity and reducing external dependencies.
“By steadfastly supporting local producers, the government aims to mitigate the potential impact of import restrictions on essential sectors, ensuring a continuous supply of vital goods and services,” Mr Ofori-Atta stated.
He said the government had developed a comprehensive support mechanisms, encompassing financial assistance, resource access, and policy frameworks designed to empower local producers.
The newspaper reports that a five-year training programme aimed at building the innovative and entrepreneurial capacities of 10,000 young people in mining communities across the country has been launched in Accra.
Dubbed, Entrepreneurship Jobs for All Programme and christened “E-Jobs4All,” it is one of the modules under the National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Programme (NAELP) being implemented by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
It is being implemented in partnership with the Queens University, Leadogo Incorporated Canada, and the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Development Initiative (CEDI Ghana).
The training, which will focus on apprenticeship, skills training and entrepreneurship, was launched by the Minister of Land and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor, yesterday.
Speaking at the event, Mr Jinapor said, the programme formed part of government’s initiative to provide decent jobs for the youth who either reside or hail from the mining regions of the country.
Aimed primarily at tackling unemployment, he stated that, it was an initiative to empower the youth, foster innovation, and unleash the potential that lies within mining communities across the country.
He noted that, the programme was designed to equip the beneficiaries with tools, skills, and insights necessary to carve, shape, and transform ideas into profitable ventures.
The Ghanaian Times also says that the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has given indication that he would go ahead and spend from the consolidated fund if the disagreement between the Majority and Minority caucuses in relation to the approval of the 2024 budget statement and economic policy of government is not resolved.
According to him, as things stand, the budget had been approved and therefore, has the legal backing to spend from the consolidated fund and other statutory sources on government programmes and policies.
“We just witnessed a situation where the majority and minority leaders gave their closing statements on the budget and at the end of the day, the Speaker put it to vote and declared that the yes have it.
“That means that the budget, in my view, has been passed and later there was a challenge which has not been resolved. So as far as I know and believe, we have the 2024 budget approved until such time that they resolve whatever they have to resolve.
“We all heard the Speaker clearly state after the voice declaration that the yes have it. That is where I stand and I am pleased that the people of Ghana have a budget,” Mr Ofori-Atta said.
Asked specifically if he would withdraw from the consolidated fund if the disagreements were not resolved, he said “I am going into the consolidated fund because the yes have it”.
He gave this indication in an engagement with parliamentary reporters after the approval process was disrupted by a walk-out staged by the Majority caucus.
But the Minority insists the document had not been approved and that it was “hanging”.
“Everyone knows that the NDC Members of Parliament were ready to vote against the budget for a very good reason.
GIK/APA