The 2022 Budget Statement and the Economic Policy of Government which is already a subject of dispute has been laid in Parliament on Tuesday, after being modified by the Finance Minister.
The Finance Minister, Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta reported that he had presented a letter to the Speaker of Parliament on the changes made to the financial statement, at a press conference.
In the company of other things, the government reviewed the Agyapa deal, the Aker Energy transaction and the GH¢10 million budget allocation for Feasibility and Engineering studies for the coastal communities, with the inclusion of Keta and its neighbouring, who were of late affected by tidal waves.
Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta specified that, the suggested charges on the E-levy remains at 1.75%, despite the fact, other stakeholders with the minority are still being consulted.
The first Deputy speaker of Parliament, Mr. Joseph Osei-Owusu after receiving the documents asked the clerk of the Parliament to lay it for the thoughts of the Parliament.
Honorable Haruna Iddrisu, the Minority Leader, objected the Speakers decision for asking the document to be laid in Parliament by the clerk.
According to Honorable Haruna Iddrisu, he it’s rather the Finance Minister or his deputies who are the ones to present the document to the Parliament a sign of ownership rather than having an officer of the house.
But Honorable Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Deputy Majority Leader disagreed to Mr. Haruna’s suggestion. He believes the document should be received as a working document as long as it has being certified and signed by the Finance Minister.
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Mr. Haruna Iddrisu made a preliminary comment on the changes, made to the budget saying, “We on this side (Minority in Parliament) are unable to support the government in the quest to impose an E-levy at 1.75% on Momo and associated transactions including remittances and bank transactions. Therefore we stand opposed, and at every level that E-levy is being introduced, we will stand united to oppose it because it will inflict hardship on the core poor of the Ghanaian people”.
On the other hand, Mr. Afenyo-Markin said the Finance Minister must be applauded for, as he accommodated the proposals of the Minority in its modifications to the Budget.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin also guaranteed the Minority that, doors has not being closed on the side of the Finance Minister and also with regards to the concerns on the E-levy, and that the Finance Minister will go on to engage them in finding a middle ground on the charges.
Znewsgh.com
