Government will shutdown if budget is not approved – Ken Ofori-Atta
Government machinery would, unfortunately, be forced to shut down if the 2022 budget statement and fiscal policy approval is delayed any further, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Attah has stated.
Demands have already been made by the Minority caucus in Parliament who have resolved that if their demands and adjustments are not incorporated into the budget they will not approve the budget.
However, some adjustments were made to the budget by Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta on December 6 2021 to address the issues raised by the Minority.
He indicated there is a continuation of deliberations especially on the E-levy and bemoaned that there will be dire consequences if the budget is not approved as soon as possible.
“The full consequences of not passing the budget are serious. This would imply that from January 1, 2022, for the government to continue work, we would need to obtain Parliamentary approval to spend in advance of the appropriation either than that, the entire government would have to shut down which will mean to name a few, no salaries for almost 700,000 public sector workers including doctors, nurses, teachers, personnel of the security services and others.”
The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, also assured that government will still continue to engage the Minority caucus and other stakeholders including mobile network operators in getting the proposed E-levy approved.
He explained that the levy has a significant impact on Ghana’s fiscal situation, hence the need to ensure consensus on it.
“Having regard to its serious fiscal implications, we will continue our consultation with the Minority caucus in Parliament and other relevant stakeholders with the view to achieving consensus and reverting to the house in the shortest possible time.”
However, the 2022 budget is expected to take centre stage again today, Tuesday in Parliament as the Minority is still insisting it hasn’t been approved.
By: Stella Annan | myactiveonline.com Twitter @activetvgh
