STC Chief Executive Officer, Nana Akomea has appealed to both the Majority and Minority in Parliament to arrive at a compromise over the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy in the interest of Ghana.
The budget has been at the center of controversies since the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta presented it before Parliament on Wednesday, November 17.
After highlighting some policies of the government come next year disclosing the introduction of e-levy on all electronic transactions and the abolishment of road tolls among others, the Minority has since registered their utter displeasure with an indication to reject the budget.
On Friday, November 26, the Majority staged a walkout following a misunderstanding in the House leaving the Minority to reject the budget.
However, the Majority says the rejection of the budget is unconstitutional as the standing order of Parliament, as cited in Article 104, clarifies that voting in Parliament can only be held when there is a majority or half of the majority present, therefore invalidating the Minority’s action on Friday.
Addressing the issue on Peace FM’s”Kokrokoo” Tuesday morning, Nana Akomea called for calm between both sides.
According to him, unlike the previous composition of the Parliament, this 8th Parliament is built differently in that both sides record an equal number of 137 members, hence, there should be a consensus building between them.
”Though you’re the majority, you have to listen to the Minority’s concerns…Get them on board. Find a way to sit down with them if they have concerns to share, whether you have the majority or not. Once there is a Minority, listen to everyone…That is democracy. But many a time our democracy appears like you say what you want, we will also do what want”, he said.
He reposed confidence in the leadership of the Majority to reach a consensus with the Minority on the budget.
”I have a lot of confidence in the leadership that they will rise to the occasion because they don’t have any alternative. There is nothing like the Minority should say theirs for us to say ours. It’s not there, so the only thing is to talk…I have every confidence that these are very intelligent people, experienced politicians. Kyei Mensah has been in Parliament since 1997; Haruna has also stayed for long. So, there will be a compromise.”
Source:peacefmonline
