Parliament on Saturday passed the Appropriation Bill, 2023, to allow Government to withdraw GH₵ 259.05 billion to meet its expenditure for the 2024 financial year.

The amount will be withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund and other public funds and for related matters. The objective of the Bill is to provide for appropriation for the year 2024.

This is per the constitutional requirement under paragraph (a) of clause (2) of Article 179 of the Constitution that estimates of expenditure of public offices shall be included in an Appropriation Bill to be introduced in Parliament to provide for the issue of funds from the Consolidated Fund and other public funds to meet government expenditure.

Pursuant to paragraph (a) of clause (2) of article 179 of the 1992 Constitution, a sum of money not exceeding GH₵ 259.05 billion shall be issued from the Consolidated Fund and other public funds during the financial year commencing on the 1st day of January, 2024 and ending on the 31st day of December, 2024 and shall be appropriated for the purposes specified in the First Schedule, which translates into the Third and Fourth Schedules, representing Ministries, Departments and Agencies and other overnment obligations with their programmes.

The Bill permits certain Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to retain and use an amount of GH₵12.33 billion during the financial year commencing on the 1st day of January, 2024 and ending on the 31st day of December, 2024.