Parliament held a three-day post-budget workshop in Accra, focusing on equipping MPs to analyze and critique the 2025 Budget Statement. Speaker Alban Bagbin stressed the budget’s importance as a key policy tool, while participants discussed fiscal policy implications and strategies for effective government oversight.
Parliament has initiated a three-day post-budget workshop in Accra aimed at equipping Members of Parliament (MPs) with essential knowledge and tools for analyzing the 2025 Budget Statement and Economic Policy. Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, highlighted the budget’s significance as a key policy instrument that outlines government priorities and the pathway for national development,
noting its complexity makes it challenging for both citizens and MPs to fully understand its implications.
The Speaker emphasized that the workshop’s purpose is to enhance MPs’ ability to critique the 2025 budget by guiding them on assessing trade-offs and potential long-term impacts of policy decisions. He urged MPs to engage actively by asking questions and sharing insights during the sessions. The Clerk to Parliament, Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, referred to the Budget Statement as a vital document that reflects the government’s fiscal policies and national ambitions.
Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, stated that the workshop is crucial for MPs to grasp both the policy and financial aspects of the budget, enabling them to make informed decisions about its approval or rejection. He stressed the importance of aligning the budget with the government’s “Reset Ghana” agenda aimed at economic revitalization, reinforcing the MPs’ role in ensuring government accountability to Ghanaians.
Minority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin underlined the significance of continuous learning in governance, urging MPs from varied backgrounds to build their capacity for effective budget discussions. He emphasized the need for MPs to identify discrepancies in budget allocations and expenditures, advocating for proactive engagement in the training sessions to boost their confidence.
Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, characterized the workshop as a crucial opportunity for evaluating the budget prior to its approval, reiterating the intent to reset the Ghanaian economy. This annual workshop aims to enhance MPs’ skills for scrutinizing the Executive’s Budget and Economic Policy, ensuring more effective oversight of government initiatives.
The workshop features plenary and breakout sessions discussing a range of topics such as macroeconomic frameworks, taxation, and revenue mobilization strategies. Experts are leading discussions on significant issues, including public sector debt management, aligning efforts to uphold accountable governance. Dr. Forson acknowledged the economic challenges facing the nation but expressed confidence in the government’s innovative strategies for overcoming these hurdles.
The recent post-budget workshop hosted by Parliament highlights the critical role of MPs in scrutinizing the government’s financial proposals. Through training and discussions, lawmakers are being prepared to better understand budget intricacies, ensuring their decisions reflect national priorities and economic challenges. The collaborative effort aims to fortify parliamentary oversight while supporting the government’s agenda for economic recovery and growth.
Original Source: www.ghanabusinessnews.com
