Parliament has initiated a three-day post-budget workshop in Accra to equip MPs with skills to analyze the 2025 Budget Statement. Key figures like Speaker Alban Bagbin and Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson stress the significance of effective scrutiny in governance. Discussions focus on budget complexities, policy alignment, and strategies for economic recovery, enabling MPs to engage meaningfully in budget-related debates.
On Saturday, Parliament commenced a three-day post-budget workshop at the Parliament House in Accra. This initiative aims to equip Members of Parliament (MPs) with the knowledge and tools necessary for scrutinizng the 2025 Budget Statement and Economic Policy. Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin highlighted the national budget’s role as a crucial policy instrument that outlines priorities and directions for national development.
The Speaker acknowledged the technical complexities of the budget, which make it difficult for not only citizens but also MPs to fully grasp its implications. He noted that the workshop targets enhancing MPs’ capabilities to critically assess the 2025 budget, encouraging them to ask pertinent questions and understand the long-term impacts of various policy decisions.
Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, emphasized the significance of the Budget Statement, branding it as one of the key policy documents in national governance. He pointed out the necessity for critical engagement and evidence-based analysis in evaluating the fiscal policies presented.
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga reiterated the workshop’s importance in aiding MPs in grasping both policy statements and financial estimates. He affirmed their responsibility to either approve or reject the budget based on its alignment with national development objectives, noting the critical nature of this process.
Minority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin highlighted the value of continuous learning in Parliament, stating that MPs must understand the intricacies of the budget to contribute effectively to discussions. He acknowledged the diverse professional backgrounds of MPs and their need for capacity-building to facilitate informed debates.
Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson described the workshop as a vital platform for evaluating the budget before approval, reiterating its aim to “reset the Ghanaian economy for the people of Ghana.”
The workshop’s primary objective was to prepare MPs and senior parliamentary staff to rigorously scrutinize the Executive’s Budget and Economic Policy for 2025. This included fostering quality debates in Parliament on relevant legislation and the Appropriation Act for the upcoming fiscal year.
Plenary sessions and breakout discussions addressed topics such as macroeconomic frameworks and taxation strategies, with expert-led dialogues enhancing parliamentary scrutiny of the budget. Dr. Forson acknowledged ongoing economic challenges but assured participants of government initiatives aimed at recovery, stating, “We recognize that our economy is in crisis, but we have put in place innovative strategies to resolve these challenges.”
In summary, the post-budget workshop serves a pivotal role in preparing Ghana’s Members of Parliament for effective scrutiny of the 2025 Budget and Economic Policy. By enhancing their understanding of budget specifics and engaging in critical discussions, the workshop aims to foster informed decision-making and accountability in governance. Such initiatives are essential as Ghana navigates its economic challenges and seeks to fulfil commitments to its citizens.
Original Source: www.ghanabusinessnews.com
