The 2023 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of government is scheduled to be presented on Thursday, 24 November 2022.
This was disclosed by the deputy majority leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin when he was presenting the business statement for next week.
Under the Public Financial Management Act, the budget should be presented by the 15th of this month. But the IMF negotiations make it impossible for the budget to be presented on time as decisions from the IMF are to be factored into the budget.
The government is however taking advantage of the Constitution which gives it up to the end of November to present the budget.
Government hopes to reach a staff level agreement with the IMF by the close of next week.
There is however uncertainties over who will present the budget. While NPP MPs in the House vow to boycott the presentation if the finance minister, Ken Ofori -Atta is asked to do the presentation, NDC MPs are pushing for a vote of censure on him.
MPs from both sides of the House believes Mr. Ofori-Atta is no longer fit to continue to be minister of finance and must resign or be fired by the president.
NPP MPs are however opposed to the NDC’s censure motion.
When asked about who will present the budget, Majority Leader, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu in response said the budget is the president’s budget for the ensuing financial year and can be presented by any cabinet minister so appointed by the president including the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta come 24 November.
SOURCE TheGhanaianVoice