Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is expected in parliament on Tuesday to request financial approval for the Coronavirus Alleviation Programme.

The Minister on Monday disclosed to Members of Parliament plans for a GHS1 billion support package for businesses and individuals negatively impacted by the virus.

Ghana is expected to suffer a revenue shortfall of up to GH¢2.2 billion as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Presenting a financial statement to Parliament Monday on the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy of Ghana, Mr Ofori-Atta, this is as a result of “the anticipated decline in import volumes and values, as well as the slowdown in economic activities.”

In parliament on Tuesday, Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu in response to concerns from the Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu about delays in dealing with the issue, said the Finance Minister will lay the appropriate legal requests later in the day.

"The appropriate referrals will be made based on which the house will be well-positioned to appraise ourselves on the main issue," he said adding that "we are not there yet so the Minority Leader should save his breath... The Finance Minister will come and do just that."

Haruna Iddrisu also asked the Health Minister to come and brief the house on donations from China to Ghana to deal with COVID-19.

“I also understand that the Chinese government gave some assistance to the republic. The Minister of Health will have to come to this house to appraise us on how he is dealing with matters relating to that and its distribution relative to the need for PPEs,” he said.