By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Minority Members of Parliament (MPs) through its Leader, Mr. Haruna Iddrisu has taken a jab at Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta over comments made to denigrate the Minority’s effort to perform its oversight duties.
The Finance Minister in his address to announce decisions taken by the government towards reviving the economy accused the NDC MPs of being the cause of Ghana’s current economic woes.
The Minority Leader who doubles as the MP for Tamale South minced no words by saying the Finance Minister has lost touch with reality.
Speaking to Members of the Parliamentary Corps. shortly after the Minister’s Press briefing in Parliament House, the Tamale South Lawmaker alleged the current economic challenges facing Ghana are more about the cost of living and doing business than anything else.
According to him, Mr. Ofori-Atta’s proffered solutions without parliamentary approval will be difficult to implement.
“We do not find his proposed measures adequate enough,” the Minority Leader told the media.
“We need certainty and clarity. If you had an expenditure approval of GH¢145 billion, we expect that you tell us that I want to cut GH¢45 billion out of the GH¢145 billion and we know that this is your commitment.
“Twenty percent of this, 10% of that, we are still not certain how much expenditure cut he intends to undertake. More importantly, he’s announced a number of revenue measures.”
Tamale South MP intimated that his side was surprised by the seeming review of the 2022 budget statement by the Finance Minister outside the precincts of Parliament.
“It is only proper that whatever measures he intends to take and will take will be brought before the august House for us to help him tighten and implement austerity measures to save an economy which is in dire straits.” he added.
