By Elsie Appiah-Osei
On Saturday, the Ghana News Agency reported from Accra that Parliament initiated a three-day post-budget workshop at the Parliamentary Complex in Accra. The objective was to arm MPs with essential skills and understanding needed for thorough scrutiny and analysis of the 2025 Budget Statement and Economic Policy.
Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament, underscored the significance of the national budget, noting that "It stands as the paramount policy tool for any administration since it delineates governmental priority areas and charts the course for nationwide progress."
He pointed out that the budget is a highly technical and intricate document, which makes it difficult for both ordinary citizens and members of parliament to completely grasp its ramifications.
The Speaker emphasized that the workshop was designed to equip MPs with the skills needed to effectively evaluate the 2025 budget statement. This included formulating pertinent queries, analyzing trade-offs, and grasping the possible enduring impacts of various policy decisions.
He encouraged members of parliament to engage proactively, pose inquiries, and voice their opinions.
Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, the Clerk to Parliament, stated: "The Budget Statement and Economic Policy presented by the government is among the most crucial policy documents in the administration of the country."
He stated: "This document serves as a roadmap encompassing financial strategies that embody our shared objectives, key focuses, and ambitions."
He stressed the significance of critical engagement, evidence-based analysis, and productive dialogue when assessing fiscal policies and revenue forecasts.
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga highlighted the importance of the workshop in enabling MPs to understand both policy declarations and fiscal projections within the budget.
He emphasized that Members of Parliament were duty-bound to either endorse or oppose the budget, depending on how well it aligned with the nation's developmental goals.
"We all recognize that it is our duty to examine, comprehend, discuss, and determine whether we should endorse or decline the budget. This procedure is essential for guaranteeing that government policies uphold the promises made to Ghanaians," stated Mr. Ayariga.
Nevertheless, he encouraged the Majority Caucus to make sure that the budget was consistent with the government’s 'Reset Ghana' initiative, which seeks to revitalize the economy.
The Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, highlighted the significance of ongoing education in parliamentary administration.
He highlighted that Members of Parliament have varied professional experiences, which makes building their capacities crucial for meaningful involvement in discussions about budgets.
"Grasping the complexities of the budget enables us to have productive conversations. Take for instance when the Finance Minister assigns $1.5 billion to agriculture, yet only $924 million actually gets spent, with much of this sum going towards compensations. In these cases, MPs should be prepared to spot and challenge such inconsistencies," he explained.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin praised the Speaker of Parliament for their guidance in arranging the workshop and recognized the efforts of parliamentary employees who managed the schedule. He urged members of parliament, especially newcomers, to engage enthusiastically in the training sessions instead of treating them like ordinary gatherings.
"Refrain from entering and leaving sessions frequently. Instead, remain present, participate actively, and develop your skills. This will boost your self-assurance during discussions and improve your capability to advocate for your constituents effectively," he recommended.
From his perspective, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson characterized the workshop as a crucial forum for evaluating the budget before it gains approval.
He emphasized that the 2025 budget aimed to "restructure the Ghanaian economy for the benefit of Ghanaians."
The main objective of the yearly post-budget workshop was to provide MPs and senior officers from the Parliamentary Service with the necessary skills to review and analyze the budget and economic policy proposed by the executive branch for the 2025 financial year.
The aim was also to equip Members of Parliament with insights into the budget, enabling them to ask detailed questions so as to effectively oversee the government’s policies and programs.
The main anticipated results include thorough discussions of the motion presented in the House during the following day’s legislative session concerning pertinent bills and culminating in the passage of the Appropriation Act for the fiscal year 2025.
The event included plenary sessions along with breakout sessions that addressed various subjects like the overarching economic structure, industry-specific nuances, and tactics for tax collection and income generation.
Specialists headed conversations covering crucial topics such as the IMF Program, managing public sector debt, and setting policy goals and metrics.
This enhancement bolstered parliamentary review of the 2025 Budget Statement and Economic Policy, underscoring Ghana’s dedication to transparent and conscientious governance.
Even as he recognized the nation's financial difficulties, Dr. Forson told the Members of Parliament that the administration had implemented creative approaches to tackle these issues.
He stated: "While acknowledging that our economy faces a crisis, we emphasize that we've implemented creative approaches and measures to address these issues."
On Tuesday, March 11, 2025, Dr. Forson, who serves as the Minister of Finance, delivered the 2025 Budget Statement and Economic Policy to Parliament. The presentation centered around the theme "Reconfiguring Ghana for Our Desired Economy."
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