The Minority Leader in Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu has advised the Vice President "to stop cheapening" the second-highest office of the country.

The Tamale South MP said Dr Mahamudu Bawumia should stop being a cheerleader for Ken Ofori-Atta, especially when he is presenting his Budget statement to the country.

He said with the economy not going well, "you cannot have the Vice President accompanying the Finance Minister then rising to cheer and even attempt to clap his hands in the chamber of Parliament.

"No matter how exciting or stimulating the budget is, he ought to go above that," he told Kojo Yankson on Joy FM's Super Morning Show, Wednesday.

Normally, the Vice President who is the leader of government's Economic Management Team accompanies the Finance Minister to the Floor of Parliament for his presentation.

But with President Akufo-Addo taking his annual leave and Dr Bawumia acting as the President, he cannot accompany Mr Ofori-Atta today.

Commenting on this, Mr Iddrisu said, "whoever gave them [government] this advice is constitutionally succinct, but it depends on which provision of the Constitution we are relying on.

"Under Article 179, which is the basis for the presentation, the President himself can present the budget or cause it to be presented on his behalf by any Minister. That was why the Majority Leader presented it early this year."

Mr Iddrisu noted that with Dr Bawumia sitting in the big chair during the presentation this morning, "he must grow beyond floor cheers in Parliament as it is not helpful."

Regarding the yet-to-be presented 2022 budget, he said times are hard, yet, "nobody should expect anything better or assuring other than increased hardships.

"Nobody should expect anything other than an attempt to inflict more economic pain."

The Tamale South MP said the Akufo-Addo government rode on the backs of Ghanaians with the pledge and promise to reduce their suffering, but they are only exacerbating living conditions through taxes and growing unemployment.