Scrutinize 2025 Budget for Constituents’ Interest- Speaker Bagbin Urges MPs
The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has urged Members of Parliament (MPs) to pay details to the 2025 Budget statement and ensure the allocations to the various agencies of government are of the interest to their constituents.
The speaker made the call at the opening ceremony of a three-day post-budget workshop aimed at equipping Members of Parliament (MPs) with a comprehensive understanding of the 2025 national budget and its implications for national development.
The workshop, held at Parliament House, is designed to strengthen MPs’ ability to engage critically in budget discussions and decision-making processes, ensuring that fiscal policies align with the needs of their constituents.
In his keynote address, Speaker Bagbin emphasized the crucial role of MPs in effectively scrutinizing the national budget, describing it as the government’s most important policy tool. He noted that the budget outlines policy priorities, available resources, projected expenditures, and key initiatives that shape national development.
“The 2025 budget, presented by the Finance Minister, impacts every sector of the economy, including security, infrastructure, education, health, and agriculture. It is, therefore, imperative that MPs understand its contents to advocate effectively for their constituents,” he stated.
Acknowledging the technical nature of the budget, Speaker Bagbin admitted that even experienced MPs often struggle to fully grasp its complexities, particularly in the context of Ghana’s commitments under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program.
Key Objectives and Discussion Areas
The Speaker outlined the workshop’s objectives, which aim to equip MPs with the necessary tools to critically analyze and debate the budget. He stressed that beyond understanding the numbers, MPs must assess how budgetary allocations translate into tangible development outcomes for Ghanaians.
The training sessions are structured around five thematic areas:
Contextual Overview of the 2025 Budget – Examining macroeconomic and fiscal policies, including the IMF program.
Public Sector Debt Management – Analyzing national debt sustainability and fiscal policy.
Policy Objectives and Targets – Evaluating the government’s development priorities.
Sectoral Budget Analysis – Assessing allocations, trade-offs, and efficiency in spending.
Taxation and Revenue Mobilization – Exploring strategies to enhance government revenue.
These discussions will enable MPs to interrogate government policies, scrutinize debt management strategies, and assess the sustainability of fiscal decisions.
Majority and Minority Leaders Call for Capacity Building
Majority Leader Hon. Mahama Ayariga underscored the workshop’s significance in helping MPs comprehend both policy statements and financial estimates in the budget. He stressed that MPs have a responsibility to either approve or reject the budget based on its alignment with national development priorities.
“We all appreciate that it is our responsibility to review, understand, debate, and decide whether to approve or reject the budget. This process is critical to ensuring that government policies fulfill the commitments made to Ghanaians,” Ayariga stated.
He also urged the Majority Caucus to ensure that the budget aligns with the government’s ‘Reset Ghana’ agenda, aimed at revitalizing the economy.
Minority Leader Hon. Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin also emphasized the importance of continuous learning in parliamentary governance. He pointed out that MPs come from diverse professional backgrounds, making capacity-building essential for effective participation in budget debates.
“Understanding the budget’s intricacies allows us to engage in meaningful discussions. For example, if the Finance Minister allocates $1.5 billion to agriculture, but only $924 million appears in actual expenditure—with a significant portion allocated to compensation—MPs must be equipped to identify and question such discrepancies,” he stated.
Hon. Afenyo-Markin commended Speaker Bagbin for his leadership in organizing the workshop and acknowledged the contributions of parliamentary staff in coordinating the program. He encouraged MPs, particularly first-timers, to actively participate in the training sessions rather than viewing them as routine meetings.
“Do not walk in and out of sessions. Stay, engage, and build your capacity. This will enhance your confidence in debates and strengthen your ability to represent your constituents effectively,” he advised.
Finance Minister Assures Economic Recovery Measures
Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson described the workshop as an essential platform for assessing the budget ahead of its approval. He reiterated that the 2025 budget is designed to “reset the Ghanaian economy for the people of Ghana.”
While acknowledging the country’s economic challenges, Dr. Forson assured MPs that the government has introduced innovative strategies to address them.
“We recognize that our economy is in crisis, but more importantly, we have put in place innovative strategies and interventions to resolve these challenges,” he stated.
Ensuring Budget Scrutiny and Accountability
The post-budget workshop is expected to equip MPs with the knowledge and skills needed to critically assess the national budget, ensuring financial accountability and transparency in government expenditure. Key discussions will focus on Ghana’s engagement with the IMF, national debt sustainability, and the efficient allocation of resources across various sectors.
By enhancing their understanding of the budget process, MPs will be better positioned to influence national policies and ensure that government spending aligns with the developmental needs of Ghanaians.
Source: Felix Nyaaba // expressnewsghana.com
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