The fate of the government’s 2022 budget and economic policy will be decided by secret ballot voting in Parliament today, Friday, November 26th, 2022.
Haruna Iddrisu, the Minority Leader, stated in the House on Thursday that his party will oppose the budget due to the 1.75 percent Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy).
He announced that he will abolish Article 104 of the 1992 Constitution, which requires secret vote on the budget statement’s Economic Policy section.
On his part, Majority Chief Whip Frank Annor Dompreh guaranteed that his party will be ready to fight the Minority in the House with their numbers.
Meanwhile, Fix the Country Movement, a pressure group, is slated to take to the streets of Accra on Friday, November 26th, 2021, in a demonstration that will finish at Parliament House, where a petition will be submitted to Speaker Alban Bagbin.
He disclosed he will revoke Article 104 of the 1992 Constitution to demand voting by secret on the Economic Policy aspect of the budget statement.
The Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annor Dompreh on his part assured his side will be ready to face the Minority with their numbers in the House.
Meanwhile, a Pressure Group, Fix the Country Movement, is expected to hit the streets of Accra Friday 26th November 2021 in a demonstration that will end at Parliament House where a petition will be presented to the Speaker, Alban Bagbin.
The Movement had earlier asked Parliament to reject the 2022 Budget and Economic Policy of the Government presented by the Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori Atta because they claim the budget is not people centered.
According to the Movement, the budget contains outrageous content and it does not conform to what Ghanaians were looking forward to.
They further reiterated that the 2022 budget does not also look at improving the Ghanaian standard of living with respect to purchasing of items, rent among others.
“The E-levy is just one of the things that we want to talk about, we want Parliament to sit down and look at the budget and disapprove it because they (Government) need to go and come again.
“We have been approving budgets for some time now and we realized that all these budgets have not had any positive effect on the ordinary Ghanaian. So we are looking for a budget that would give a positive reference on the ordinary Ghanaian,” the National Spokesperson and Convener for Fix the Country Movement, John Ekow Koomson told Starrfm.
The Police Administration in a news release dated 25th November 2021 seen by Starrfm.com.gh have given the green light for the demonstration.
The release signed by the Public Affairs Unit in Accra, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Juliana Obeng, said the Police has made adequate security arrangements for the demonstration.
She said the demonstrators will assemble at Tema Station near the Hockey Pitch – through – Accra Technical University – towards – Trade Union Congress Traffic Light – through – Cedi House – through – National Theatre Traffic Light – to – AU Roundabout and finally end at the Parliament House.
Madam Juliana Obeng further stated that taking into account the traffic situation, personnel from the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) will be present to ensure the free flow of traffic.
“The Police is resolute to collaborate with the demonstrators towards a peaceful demonstration. However, organizers and demonstrators taking part in the demonstration are entreated to observe all COVID-19 protocols and cooperate with the Police for a successful event,” she requested.
