The Majority Caucus on Wednesday runaway from the government’s 2024 budget statement and economic policy, sensing defeat over its failure to rally its numbers for parliamentary
business.
The Speaker of Parliament had earlier stated that his voice vote had been challenged under order 113 (2) of the Standing Orders of Parliament.
The Speaker put the question for a voice vote twice and stated that in his opinion “the ayes have it”.
This opinion was subsequently challenged by the Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, citing order 113 (2) of the Standing Orders.
Order 113(2) calls for a head count of all Members of Parliament present and voting.
The Speaker then ruled on the motion that the application was in order and that head count should commence.
It was at this point that Majority Members, sensing defeat, started packing,fled the chamber and abandoned their own budget, leaving only the NDC Minority Caucus to
carry on with parliamentary business.
But Mr Speaker suspended the House and immediately upon its resumption, he adjourned proceedings until Thursday, 30th November, 2023.
As it stands now, the 2024 budget has not been approved.
Throughout the budget debate, the NDC Minority Group insisted that it cannot support the government’s new taxes because the poverty level in the country is just too high and this will put an extra burden on already suffocating businesses.
We, the NDC Minority, cannot in good conscience support the principles of this budget at this time.
HON. CASSIEL ATO FORSON (PhD), MP.
Minority Leader….
Source: Ayisah Foster/Broadcastergh.com
