The Minority Leader in parliament, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson says the New Patriotic Party (NPP) members do not have the quorum to approve the 2024 budget.

This, he said forced them [NPP] to walk out from parliament when the Speaker demanded that a headcount be made to either reject or approve the budget.

Speaking after the Majority walkout, Dr Ato Forson said “The NPP is running away from their own budget. Second time in the history of Ghana sensing defeat. We have got them and we will get them again another day. The fact remains that the NPP does not have the numbers to approve their own budget and you bear as witnesses.”

He explained that NPP legislators were aware that they were outnumbered by the opposition, implying that had the Speaker proceeded with the headcount they would had the budget approved.

The Minority Leader reiterated that “our position is simple. We cannot allow this budget to go through in its current form because the ordinary Ghanaian will be the one who will suffer.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the NPP sadly sensing that, they are not here because obviously, the Deputy responsible for Foreign Affairs is not in town, obviously the Hon. John Kumah who is the deputy Minister of Finance is also not here and obviously the almighty Kennedy Agyapong – Mr Showdown, is also not here and sensing defeat clearly you know they decided to walk out in a very shameful manner. It is a shame.”

He assured the public that the Minority will oppose the budget no matter the day adding that, “As we speak, the budget has not been approved…so let everyone be aware and let the NPP MPs get it. They have lost it, they have lost the way and they have lost the mandate to do business in this house but we want to conclude that we live to fight another day and tomorrow is another day.”