The government will be compelled to shut down, according to Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, if the passage of the 2022 Budget Statement and Fiscal Policy is delayed any longer.
The Minority in Parliament has said that it will not approve the budget until it is amended by the Minister of Finance.
Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta, on the other hand, announced some budget changes on Monday, December 6, 2021, in response to the Minority’s concerns.
He also stated that conversations on the e-implementation levy’s will continue, but cautioned that catastrophic consequences would follow if the budget was not passed as quickly as possible.
“The full consequences of not passing the budget are serious. This would imply that from January 1, 2022, for the government to continue work, we would need to obtain parliamentary approval to spend in advance of the appropriation either than that, the entire government would have to shut down which will mean to name a few, no salaries for almost 700,000 public sector workers including doctors, nurses, teachers, personnel of the security services and others.”
The Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, also said the government will continue engagements with the Minority and other stakeholders including mobile network operators in getting the proposed e-levy approved.
According to him, the levy has a significant impact on Ghana’s fiscal situation, hence the need to ensure consensus on it.
“Having regard to its serious fiscal implications, we will continue our consultation with the minority caucus in parliament and other relevant stakeholders with the view to achieving consensus and reverting to the house in the shortest possible time.”
Meanwhile, the 2022 budget is expected to take centre stage again today, Tuesday in Parliament as the Minority is still insisting it hasn’t been approved.
