Audio By Carbonatix
The Chairman of Parliament’s Committee on Economy and Development, Eric Afful, has indicated that the upcoming mid‑year budget review will adhere to the GH₵293 billion appropriation set in March, with no new funding requests expected.
Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson is slated to present the mid‑year statement to Parliament on Thursday, July 24.
Speaking to JoyNews' Parliamentary correspondent, Kwaku Asante, Mr Afful stated that the Mid-year budget to be read by the Finance Minister will take the form of a statement rather than a motion, as there will be no call for additional funds.
“The investigation I've done so far is that the government will not come to the House to ask for additional funds,” he said.
“We are going to stay within the appropriation of 293 billion that was programmed to execute the 2025 budget. For that matter, the presentation will be done through a statement, not through a motion.”
Mr Afful added that the mid-year budget review will focus on reviewing key flagship programs, particularly the GH₵10.3 billion “Big Push” initiative and the GH₵32 billion allocation for capital expenditure.
However, the Minority New Patriotic Party MPs have urged the Finance Minister to use the budget review to demonstrate real economic control.
The NPP Kpandai MP, Mathew Nyindam, criticised the pacing of spending under Dr. Forson’s leadership, saying, “Contractors have not been paid. Even ministries have not been given their allocations. So if you are holding on to the money, obviously the currency will be doing better against the major currencies like the dollar."
"So until he begins to spend and begins to give the ministries money to spend, then we can then be measuring output. … It is only when the ministers are getting their allocations, they are getting their money, that the economy will begin to grow and grow well,” he added.
Latest Stories
-
Elon Musk’s SpaceX raises $75bn ahead of record stock market debut
43 minutes -
Corporate giants, century-old brands to be honoured at Ghana Platinum Excellence Awards
4 hours -
Sales boy captured on CCTV cameras stealing, jailed 36 months
5 hours -
Court strikes out application to dismiss East Legon property case
5 hours -
Court gives prosecution final chance in Mamprobi Hospital baby theft case to file disclosures
5 hours -
Motorists and pedestrians decry worsening encroachment on roads and pavements in Avenor
5 hours -
Driver remanded for breaking into lawyer’s chambers and stealing GH¢750,000
5 hours -
Adu-Boahene trial: Witness denies claims of inter-branch fund transfers
5 hours -
Forklift operator in trouble over $100,000 worth of stolen raw materials
5 hours -
McTominay travels separately in Boston as precaution
6 hours -
Real Madrid bring back Mourinho on three-year deal
6 hours -
Mexico beat South Africa in dramatic World Cup opener as three players sent off
6 hours -
Gov’t releases GH¢537m to cover tuition fees of 159,750 students under No Fees Stress Policy
6 hours -
Twice in a year, Chairman Wontumi’s lead lawyer has walked away
7 hours -
CSOs mount strong defence of OSP ahead of Supreme Court verdict
7 hours