Majority Leader in Parliament says another member of government will be selected to read the 2021 budget statement in the stead of the Finance Minister-designate, Ken Ofori Atta.

Speaking to JoyNews, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, explained that because the Mr Ofori-Atta has not yet been vetted and approved as a substantive minister as he is away receiving medical treatment for his post-Covid-19 complications.

At the moment, he stated that it is uncertain when Mr Ofori Atta will be in the country, as such Vice President Dr Bawumia may be elected to present the budget on Friday, March 12.

He told Parliamentary correspondent Kwesi Parker Wilson that the Constitution does not limit the budget presentation to only the Finance Minister.

“The Minister-designate for Finance is not in the jurisdiction. Even if he were to be here he has not been vetted. He must be vetted and approved of before if he has to present the budget, he could.”

He stated that if Ken Ofori Atta is still not in the jurisdiction by the slated date nor has he gone through the vetting process and approval, then, another minister who “is not a stranger to Parliament” would be elected to submit the budget.

“The Vice President is not a stranger, he is the head of the economic management team, and he could do the presentation.”

Mr Kyei Mensah added that other options include the Minister-designate for Food and Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto and Minister-designate for Trade and Industry Alan Kyeremanten.

He explained that the work of these two directly propel the economy and thus they could also be chosen for the job.

This comes after Ken Ofori-Atta was flown to the United States of America, on Sunday, February 14, for post-Covid-19 medical review.

A statement from the Finance Ministry said: “After recovering from Covid-19 last December, Mr Ofori-Atta has had medical complications which doctors advise, require further interventions not currently available in Ghana.”

The Finance Minister-designate later on Tuesday, 16 February, wrote to the Chairman of Parliament’s Appointments Committee to reschedule his vetting on health grounds.

However a new date is yet to be scheduled.

Mr Kyei Mensah said that the standing orders of Parliament, as well as the Constitution, provide that anyone responsible for finance be allowed to present the budget.

“It is not the minister of finance necessarily, so any person who in the time being is responsible for finance could do it.”