Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has questioned the decision to present Ghana’s 2027 Budget at 6pm on Thursday, November 12, saying the evening schedule is unusual and could cause Parliament’s sitting to continue late into the night.
He raised the issue in Parliament on Wednesday, a day after Speaker Alban Bagbin approved the timing at the request of Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson.
Mr Afenyo-Markin said the Minority was concerned about the choice of time and suggested it could reduce public attention to the statement.
“We find it very strange that the Finance Minister has chosen 6:00 p.m. as the only time for him to come because he wants Ghanaians to be sleepy,” he said.
“He wants Ghanaians to be sleepy because he wants to come here at 6:00 p.m., knowing that if he’s very clear on his mind, what does he have to fear? If he’s so clear, why has he chosen to come here at night?” he asked.
The Minority Leader also warned that disagreement between the two sides over the arrangement could prolong the sitting.
“Then it drags into 10:00 p.m. and all of that,” he said.
Majority rejects timing criticism
Majority Leader James Agalga dismissed the suggestion that the government had chosen the time because it wanted the public to be less alert.
“We are not intent on presenting a budget statement when the people of this country are asleep. That is not what we are intending to do,” he said.
“But how many Ghanaians go to sleep at 6:00 p.m? With the greatest of respect, how many Ghanaians?”
“Honourable Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, do you sleep at 6:00 p.m? No.”
Mr Agalga said Ghanaians would remain awake and interested in the government’s economic plans, particularly its proposals to create employment.
“Ghanaians will be wide awake to listen to the presentation of the new economy,” he said.
“They are eager to know how government would create jobs for the teeming youth of our country.”
“So nobody would sleep. They’ll be wide awake to listen to the good news that we have for the good people of this country,” he added.
He explained that the evening presentation had been scheduled because of an important state function taking place on Thursday, at which new currency notes will be launched. Dr Cassiel Ato Forson is expected to attend the event, while the Speaker and Minority Leader have also been invited.
The Budget is centred on the government’s four-year New Economy programme. Business groups have already submitted their demands ahead of the statement, which will set out the government’s revenue, spending and economic priorities for 2027 when Dr Cassiel Ato Forson addresses Parliament on Thursday evening.
