Finance Minister Dr Mohammed Amin Adam has been cautioned that he risks a prison sentence if he fails to present the mini-budget before Parliament ahead of the swearing-in of the new government.

The warning was issued by the Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, during a parliamentary sitting on Thursday, 19 December.

Dr Amin Adam has reportedly been absent from parliamentary proceedings for four consecutive days, leaving the budget for the first quarter of the coming year unresolved. 

This has caused significant concern among Members of Parliament, with some accusing the government of neglecting its fiscal responsibilities during this critical transitional period.

Addressing the issue on the floor of the house, Dr Ato Forson expressed frustration at the Finance Minister’s absence and urged him to fulfill his constitutional duties. 

He warned that failure to present the mini-budget promptly would have serious legal and political consequences.

He accused the administration of stalling important processes needed to ensure fiscal stability in the coming months.

The Minority Leader called on the Speaker of Parliament to take swift action to compel the Finance Minister to appear before the House.

“There are severe penalties for not doing this including a jail term. So I just want to caution those in office to be aware of the constitutional provisions and also be aware of the PFM Act.”

The absence of the Finance Minister has drawn criticism from various quarters, with many viewing it as a lack of commitment to addressing the nation’s economic challenges. 

Parliamentarians have reiterated the need for accountability, particularly as the government transitions into a new fiscal year.