Read How Ghana’s 2024 Budget Approved in Parliament with Headcounts
Ghana’s Parliament on Thursday, December 7, 2023 successfully approved the 2024 budget through headcount of Member of Parliament present, following staunch resistance from the Minority caucus.
The decisive moment came after the headcount revealed 138 votes in favour from the Majority caucus, with the opposing Minority securing 136 votes.
The speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon Alban Bagbin, earlier on Wednesday, November 29, declared a voice vote in favour of the Majority following the conclusion of an extensive debate.
However, the Minority Caucus contested the Speaker’s ruling, demanding a headcount, which compelled the Majority to initiate a walkout from the Chamber in protest of delay tactics and abuse of procedures.
The Speaker, Alban Bagbin, subsequently announced that the headcount vote would be conducted today, December 7, on the approval of the government’s economic policy and budget statement to pave the way for the approval of budget estimates.
Speaking after the headcount, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, said, “At the end of the headcount, the ‘ayes’ had 138, Nos were 136, one absent. The ayes have it. The 2024 budget has been approved.”
Background
The approval of the 2024 Budget appeared to hit a wall following rejection by the minority and a walkout by the majority caucus during the voting process last week.
The dramatic scenes, captured on video, showcase the turmoil and unexpected twists that unfolded within the parliamentary chambers.
It was the second time the NPP MPs have staged a walkout from activities in the chamber.
The first walkout took place on Friday, November 26, 2021, during processes to approve the 2022 budget.
The second walkout by the Majority MPs was recorded on Thursday, December 8, 2022 during the debate on the censure motion for the removal of Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.
The Speaker, Rt Hon Alban Bagbin, on three consecutive times put a voice vote on the motion on voice vote, declaring the “Ayes” by the Majority as having the day.
Speaker’s ruling questioned
The Minority challenged the Speaker’s ruling, citing the absence of clear “Ayes” or “Nays” during the voice vote. Deputy Minority Leader Emmanuel Kofi Armah-Buah invoked Order 113(2) of the Standing Order, disputing the ruling and requesting a headcount or division, asserting, “I believe the ‘Nays’ have it.”
Order 113(2) states that “A member may call for headcount or division if the opinion of Mr Speaker on the voice vote is challenged”.
Agreement
Agreeing to the application for a headcount, the Speaker said: “Honourable members, I think the ‘Ayes’ have it. I have done nothing wrong.
“The Speaker put the question and I heard ‘Ayes’ and ‘Na’s’. Because there was some drumming, I thought it interfered into the “Nas.
“Listening to the ‘Ayes and ‘Na’s”, I said I think the ‘Ayes” have it and my thinking has been challenged by the Deputy Minority Leader and he was right to do so,” Mr Bagbin said.
He, therefore, instructed the Clerks at the Table to conduct a headcount, with the names of each member of the House being called out to rise to support or oppose his decision.
Objection
But the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, said he believed was right when he declared the “Ayes” as having the day after he put a question on motion.
“The Speaker’s decision in pronouncing that the ‘Ayes’ was ‘clear and loud’. And I believe that this indeed is a colossal abuse of the processes and procedures in this House, and this should not be entertained at all.
Misleading the Speaker
Confirming the Majority’s objection, the Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, accused Mr Armah-Buah of misleading the Speaker.
He said, per Order 113(2), the Deputy Minority Leader could only call for a headcount when there was a usual application challenging the voice vote.
He said if his colleague—Mr Amrah-Buah–wanted to invoke the rule, he should do so properly.
About Author
