Finance Minister’s Absence Delays Mini-Budget Presentation for Second Day
Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, for a second consecutive day, has failed to appear before Parliament to present the anticipated mini-budget for 2025, heightening tensions in the House.
The delayed presentation comes after Parliament was recalled yesterday, December 16, specifically for this purpose.
Adding to the growing uncertainty, Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin and other key members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) front bench were also absent during proceedings today, December 17.
The acting Majority Leader and MP for Anyaa Sowutuom informed the House that the NPP leadership had no information regarding the whereabouts of the Finance Minister or the reasons behind the delay.
However, this explanation failed to appease the Minority, who accused the government of intentionally stalling the presentation of the budget.
Minority Chief Whip, Kwame Agbodza, suggested that the delay might be a strategic move by the NPP to frustrate the incoming NDC government after the 2024 elections.
The Minority further warned that the continued delay in presenting the mini-budget could have significant consequences, including disruptions to public sector salaries. They stressed that any delays in salary payments would be the full responsibility of the NPP government.
The mini-budget remains listed on the order paper of Parliament, but with two days now elapsed without a presentation, Minority MPs have vowed to intensify their demands for accountability, citing the urgency of addressing the country’s fiscal matters.
