On Thursday, November 30, 2023, when the House was set to reconvene to conclude the vote on the approval of the 2024 Budget Statement and Economic Policy, only three members of the majority side of parliament were present.
According to reports, the proceedings began with the presence of Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensa-Bonsu, Majority Chief Whip Frank Annoh Dompreh, and Deputy Chief Whip Habib Iddrisu.
The previous day, after concluding the budget debates, Speaker of the House Alban Bagbin adjourned the meeting. The plan was to move forward with a vote to approve the legislation. But a crucial point came when the Speaker attempted to decide by voice vote in favor of those who were voting “Ayes.”
Emmanuel Armarh Kofi Buah, the deputy minority leader, quickly challenged this strategy and argued in favor of a headcount.
Bagbin’s decision to accept the alternative suggestion caused the House to become more tense. The proposal made by their minority counterparts was met with opposition from Majority members.
Deputy Majority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin orchestrated an unexpected walkout from the House, and other colleagues soon followed suit, as emotions ran high and tempers flared.
Finally, Speaker Alban Bagbin halted the proceedings entirely due to the worsening circumstances.
On Thursday, November 30, 2023, Bagbin reiterated that the budget statement for 2024 is still not approved. Thus, he gave the business committee instructions to reschedule it for the following week.
We don’t have to debate this matter. It is a matter of record, and I direct that the business committee should reschedule the issue for next week for us to finally take a decision on the budget. The budget statement and economic policy of the government for the year 2024 are still before the house, and so the business committee will reschedule it for next week,” he directed.
He disregarded the majority side of the House’s assertions that he ruled on the budget debate proceedings impartially.
“So throughout the practice when it’s an opinion, you say I think, I think, that is an opinion I’m expressing. I think the ayes have it. Now an opportunity is created for somebody to challenge the opinion, and so when you read 113 (2), it doesn’t talk about ruling; it talks about the opinion. That’s why it says a member may call for a headcount or division if the opinion of Mr. Speaker on a voice vote is challenged,” he explained.
Because of certain provisions in the budget that they believe to be detrimental to the plight of Ghanaians, the minority side of the House has vowed to reject it, calling it empty.
