Gabby “Begs” NDC MPs To Support The 2023 Budget
Gabby Otchere Darko has pleaded with the NDC MPs to join hands with the majority so that the 2022 budget reading to the Parliament will be successful. Gabby explained that it will not be in the interest of Ghana if the 2023 budget suffers the same fate as the 2022 budget.
He predicted that should the same happen to the 2023 budget, the negotiation with the IMF can be at a stalemate or it will be derailed. Gabby emphasized the revenue generation measures. This could mean that the Finance Minister may introduce a new tax item.
Gabby “Begs” NDC MPs To Support The 2023 Budget
“Thursday’s 2023 budget is crucial. It cannot suffer a fate similar to the 2022 budget and its revenue measures. It could completely derail negotiations with the Fund if not passed. Critical to this are its revenue generation measures. We plead the NDC joins the NPP in this for Ghana”, he tweeted.
Meanwhile, the leadership of the party and majority leadership have reached a consensus after they met to discuss the grief of the 90 MPs who had stated earlier that they would boycott Parliament when the Finance Minister comes to read the budget.
In a letter signed by the General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party, Justin Frimpomg Kodua, and the Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh Dompreh, it was resolved and concluded that all the NPP MPs must be present at the 2023 budget reading at Parliament.
SEE THE LETTER TO NPP MPs
“Over the past two weeks, especially after the President had engaged the Majority Caucus over calls for the ouster of the Minister of Finance as well as the Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance and a statement on the engagement had been issued, the country witnessed a heightened public or media discussion on the same subject matter.
There have been occasional individual interventions some of which have not helped the resolution of the issue in contention. On the other hand, some of these interventions have contributed to escalating tensions and suspicions.
At a meeting this evening, the 22nd of November 2022, involving the Majority Caucus, the leadership of the Party, and the council of elders, it has been agreed by all to refocus and recline to the earlier position requested by the President.
to wit:
- The demand be stood down until the conclusion of the round of negotiations with the International Monetary Fund which would feed into the 2023 budget;
- The presentation of the 2023 Budget Statement and Economic Policy on the 24th of November by the Finance Minister on behalf of the President; and
- The subsequent presentation and passage of the appropriation bill
The meeting agreed that the President would act upon the initial request of the NPP Parliamentary Caucus after the conclusion of these matters
In the meantime, the Leadership of the Parliamentary group and the Leadership of the Party counseled the Honorable Members of the Parliamentary Party to resort to the caucus communication channels and to the largest extent possible, work together as one Caucus unit.
Leadership and the Party in this regard called upon the Members of Parliament to attend to all Government Business in the House, including, in particular, the 2023 Budget Statement and Economic Policy and all connected matters”, he wrote.
Gabby “Begs” NDC MPs To Support The 2023 Budget
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