Parliament has adjourned without deliberating on the much-anticipated mini-budget, drawing sharp criticism from the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who blames the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs for the impasse.
Speaking to journalists after the adjournment on December 20, Mr. Afenyo-Markin accused the NDC caucus of undermining parliamentary consensus and disrupting the legislative agenda. The session, which concluded with Parliament set to reconvene on January 2, 2025, failed to address critical issues such as the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) Bill and other priority items.
“Strangely, the Free SHS Bill was removed from the order paper. I had to intervene to ensure it was reinstated. Why is there resistance to passing the Free SHS Bill? What is the opposition’s issue with this vital policy?” Mr. Afenyo-Markin questioned.
The Majority Leader’s remarks followed a series of disruptions, including the absence of Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam from the chamber for five consecutive days. His absence has delayed the presentation of the mini-budget, a critical financial framework to support government operations until the full 2025 budget is approved.
The delay has sparked concerns about a potential government shutdown, as Parliament was unable to reach consensus on the Vote on Account—a provisional funding measure. The Vote on Account would allow essential government services to continue uninterrupted, pending the approval of a comprehensive budget by the next administration.
With no resolution in sight, concerns have grown among MPs, particularly from the minority side, who have called for urgent action to prevent a crisis. The mini-budget, expected to outline interim government expenditure and revenue plans, remains in limbo.
