A heated debate unfolded in Parliament as the Majority and Minority clashed over the government’s 2025 Budget Statement. While the Majority praised the budget as a strategic plan to revamp the economy, the Minority dismissed it as impractical and lacking adequate funding.
Disputed Projections
The Minority, led by Karaga MP and former Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, criticized the budget for inconsistencies in financial projections. He pointed out gaps between budget appropriations and actual allocations, questioning the credibility of government spending.
For instance, although GH¢6.9 billion was earmarked in the appropriations, the appendices reflected a significantly higher GH¢23 billion for goods and services. Similar discrepancies were identified in the education sector, where allocations for key initiatives totaled GH¢1.3 billion, yet only GH¢800 million was assigned in the appendices. Dr. Adam further highlighted that the government’s Big Push initiative required GH¢40 billion over four years, but only GH¢13 billion had been allocated for 2025, leaving a funding gap of GH¢27 billion.
Concerns Over Fiscal Data
Dr. Adam also accused the Finance Minister of using unaudited figures to calculate the country’s fiscal balances. He claimed this practice was misleading and warned that such financial misrepresentation had already caused a decline in the country’s sovereign bonds, as reported by Bloomberg.
Defending the Budget
Responding for the Majority, Bolgatanga Central MP Isaac Adongo dismissed the NPP’s criticisms as unfounded. He emphasized that the government had presented a budget without resorting to international borrowing, a move that left the opposition struggling for counterarguments.
Adongo also defended the revenue measures outlined in the budget, announcing the planned abolition of the controversial Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy). He argued that this tax unfairly burdened low-income earners and assured that steps were being taken to repeal it.
The Way Forward
Adongo criticized the previous administration for poor economic management, stating that the current government was undertaking “heavy lifting” to restore financial stability. He rebuffed demands for audited figures in the budget, reminding the opposition that budgets had never required such data at the presentation stage.
According to Adongo, the 2025 budget prioritizes the well-being of ordinary Ghanaians by ensuring access to education, infrastructure, and economic relief. He stressed that the budget aimed to ease financial burdens and support essential services.
As the parliamentary debate continues, both sides remain firm in their positions, with the Majority defending its vision for economic recovery while the Minority raises concerns over funding and transparency.
