Ranking Member on the Finance Committee of Parliament, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has cautioned the Majority caucus against making moves to challenge the Speaker’s ruling affirming the rejection of the 2022 budget statement and economic policy.

In the view of the Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam legislator, the only way the country can attain its economic goals is for the Majority to allow cool heads to prevail and engage the Minority on the way forward in getting a new budget approved.

Speaking on Newsfile on Saturday, November 27, 2022, Dr. Ato Forson observed that it will be in the interest of the Majority to accept the views of the Minority to foster collaboration in shaping the economic fortunes of the country.

“Cool heads must prevail. They (NPP Caucus) have to really understand that there’s the need for them to engage and I am urging them as a government that they should live above this politics and understand this is a hung parliament; they should understand that the only way to carry this country forward is to engage. Let’s sit around the table and engage. Accept the views of the Minority and tell us what you can do in a form of concession, so we move the country forward,” he said.

Parliament on Friday voted via a voice vote to reject the 2022 budget statement and economic policy presented by Ken Ofori-Atta on 17th November, 2021.

However, the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu says the Speaker’s ruling on the 2022 budget has no binding effect on Parliament, describing it as a nullity.

He also served notice of his intention to file processes to reverse the Speaker’s earlier ruling.

But the Ranking Member on the Finance Committee, Dr. Ato Forson explained that it will be an expensive mistake on the part of the NPP if they resolve to litigate over the Speaker’s ruling affirming the rejection of the 2022 budget.

He further added that the negative impact on the economy would be blamed on the government if they fail to immediately address the concerns raised by the Minority.

“If the NPP leaders in Parliament insist that the vote we took is a nullity, they know what to do. They can come with a substantive motion – the rules will apply but the question is would they succeed? Let me say that it is going to be an expensive mistake on the part of the NPP if they decide to go through that route. Because the impact will hit the government and the economy and they would be the ones to carry the burden.”