Parliament adjourns to January 2 without approving Expenditure in Advance of Appropriation

Parliament has adjourned its seventh meeting of the fourth session of the Eighth Parliament to January 2, 2025, without approving the GH₵68.13 million Expenditure in Advance of Appropriation meant to cover public sector salaries for January to March 2025.

Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin announced the adjournment following an agreement reached by the House's leadership.  

“Following from yesterday’s proceedings and pre-sitting conclave meetings I held with the leadership of the House and in the spirit of that agreement and in the national interest, I proceed to adjourn the sittings of this meeting to January 2, 2025,” he stated.  

The sitting, which began at 2 pm, lasted only 20 minutes without addressing the advertised government business, which included the Free Secondary Education Bill, 2024, the Expenditure in Advance of Appropriation, a $250 million World Bank facility for the Ghana Financial Stability Project, and the President’s nomination of two justices for the Supreme Court.  

Minority's concerns 

The Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, addressing the media after the adjournment, criticised the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government for failing to comply with Article 180 of the Constitution.  

He said, “In the spirit of good transition, it was expected that the outgoing President, acting pursuant to Article 180, would have acted in good faith and bring before Parliament a proposal for expenditure to cater for the first quarter of the year 2025.”  

Dr Forson accused President Akufo-Addo of neglecting to ensure the public service would be catered for in the first quarter of 2025, saying, “Sadly, President Akufo-Addo planned to leave the public service uncatered for in the first quarter of the year 2025.”  

He assured Ghanaians that the incoming National Democratic Congress (NDC) government, led by President-Elect John Dramani Mahama, would act swiftly after taking office on January 7, 2025, to address the expenditure needs for the first quarter.  

“There is no cause for alarm. Even though there would be no Finance Minister on January 7, 2025, the Vice President could present to the House the Expenditure in Advance Appropriation any time after the swearing-in on January 7,” he noted.  

Dr Forson cautioned the outgoing Akufo-Addo-Bawumia administration that it would be held accountable for unmet commitments and obligations of state between January 1 and 7, 2025.  

Majority responds  

At a separate press conference, Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin accused the Minority of intentionally obstructing government business since Parliament resumed.  

“In Parliament, the procedure when a matter is introduced is to lay a paper, make a referral to a committee, and, when the committee completes its report, present, debate, and take a decision,” he explained.  

However, he alleged, “The NDC’s strategy has been that, despite all these procedures, they would not allow any paper to even be laid. Neither will they allow a report of a committee to be tabled, debated, or considered.”  

Mr. Afenyo-Markin lamented the Minority’s posture in blocking discussions on critical matters, including the Free SHS Bill, the Environmental Protection Bill, the $250 million World Bank financial sector support, and the nominations for the Supreme Court.  

“We have also had the 1D1F, where they themselves brought proposals to us and the government side accepted those proposals, which led to significant savings. Yet, the NDC lawless Minority will not allow the report to be taken,” he said.  

Assuring Ghanaians of the Majority’s readiness to advance the Expenditure on Account, he said, “There is no way we will ambush our own fortunes as a nation.”