Parliament Initiates 2025 Post-Budget Workshop in Accra
Parliament has commenced a three-day post-budget workshop in Accra for Members of Parliament to enhance their skills in scrutinizing the 2025 Budget Statement. Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin and other leaders emphasized the importance of understanding budget intricacies to make informed decisions regarding national development priorities. The workshop aims to foster quality deliberations and accountability in fiscal governance as they address economic challenges.
On Saturday, Parliament initiated a three-day post-budget workshop at the Parliament House in Accra. The workshop is designed to equip Members of Parliament (MPs) with essential tools and knowledge for scrutinizing the 2025 Budget Statement and Economic Policy. Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, highlighted its significance as a critical policy instrument that outlines the government’s priorities and development roadmap.
The Speaker noted the complexity of the national budget, which can pose challenges for citizens and MPs alike. The workshop’s purpose is to enhance MPs’ capabilities in critiquing the 2025 budget statement, enabling them to formulate pertinent questions and assess potential long-term policy effects. Active participation and inquiry were urged to foster a more insightful engagement.
Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, described the Budget Statement and Economic Policy as vital documents reflecting national governance. He called for critical engagement and evidence-based analysis to evaluate fiscal policies and projections effectively. It is imperative for MPs to gain a clearer understanding of these financially significant documents.
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga emphasized the necessity for MPs to review budgetary policies to ensure alignment with national development priorities. He asserted the MPs’ duty to either approve or disapprove the budget based on its coherence with commitments made to the Ghanaian populace. He also referenced the ongoing ‘Reset Ghana’ agenda, which aims to rejuvenate the economy.
Minority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin highlighted the need for continuous learning among MPs, attributed to their diverse professional backgrounds. He emphasized the importance of understanding budget intricacies for meaningful debates, using the example of discrepancies in budget allocations to showcase the need for MPs to ask informed questions.
Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson described the workshop as crucial for assessing the budget prior to its approval, reiterating its intent to reset the Ghanaian economy. He announced that this workshop aims to equip MPs with the necessary skills for scrutinizing the budget and economic policies presented by the Executive.
The workshop aims to enhance the quality of parliamentary discussions and outcomes, ultimately contributing to the Appropriation Act for the forthcoming financial year. It includes plenary sessions and discussions on macroeconomic frameworks, taxation, revenue mobilization, and other pertinent topics.
Dr. Forson acknowledged the nation’s economic challenges while assuring members that innovative strategies are being implemented to address them. He firmly stated, “We recognize that our economy is in crisis, but more importantly, we have put in place innovative strategies and interventions to resolve these challenges.”
The presentation of the 2025 Budget Statement, themed “Resetting Ghana for the Economy We Want,” occurred on March 11, 2025, by Finance Minister Dr. Forson, marking a significant step in Ghana’s fiscal planning.
In conclusion, the post-budget workshop serves as a vital initiative for enhancing the capabilities of Members of Parliament in scrutinizing the intricate 2025 Budget Statement and Economic Policy. Through critical engagement, MPs are called to actively participate in discussions, ensuring that budgetary decisions align with national priorities. The contributions of various parliamentary leaders underscore the importance of informed debates while tackling challenges within Ghana’s economy. The workshop ultimately aims to promote accountability and a transparent governance framework.
Original Source: www.ghanabusinessnews.com
