By Edzorna Francis Mensah.
Parliament is expected to commence debate on the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the government for the year ending 31st December, 2022 on Tuesday, 23rd November 2021.
As contained in the Business Committee report for the Fifth week ending Friday, 26th November, 2021, MPs are entreated to engage in “a well researched and informed debate and therefore proposes that the debate for each day be structured along specific sectors”.
This is to ensure coherence, comprehensiveness and logical flow of the debate.
The Business Committee proposes the following sectors for the days specified below:
Tuesday, 23 November 2021: Finance, Environment, Gender, Foreign Affairs, Youth & Sports, and Employment
Wednesday, 24″ November 2021: Health, Trade & Industry, Communications, Local Government, Lands & Forestry, Works & Housing, and Energy & Mining.
Thursday, 25″ November 2021: Education, Agriculture, Roads & Transport, Defence & Interior, Judiciary, Parliament, Independent Governance Institutions, and Government Machinery, and the Leadership is expected to conclude the Debate on Friday, 26th November 2021 to bring the entire debate to a closure.
The Business Committee further proposes that on each day of the debate, two (2) Honourable Members from each side of the political divide would be expected to contribute to the debate.
Furthermore, the Committee has proposed the following time allotments:
i. Seconder and Ranking Member of Finance Committee – 20 minutes.
ii. Other Committee Chairpersons and Ranking Members – 15 minutes.
iii. All other Members – 10 minutes.
“Speaker, having regard to the business scheduled for the week under consideration, the Business Committee recommends that sitting commence each day at 10:00 a.m.
The Committee also proposes extended sittings for each day to enable the House conclude the debate on the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government”.
The House has accordingly adopted the Business Committee report for the week starting on Tuesday 23rd November, 2021
