2013 Budget Receive Mix Reactions From Mps

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament (MPs) have described the 2013 budget as a confused, empty statement, but their counterparts on the majority side think otherwise, by hailing the policy document as the best to lead the country to economic advancement.

The budget statement, titled 'Sustaining Confidence in the future of the Ghanaian Economy', which was presented by the Finance Minister, Mr. Seth Terkper, according to the Minority, did not seek to solve the problems of the people of Ghana.

This was made known when the Finance Minister appeared before the House to deliver the budget statement for the year 2013 on behalf of the President, as stipulated by Article 197 of the 1992 constitution of Ghana.

The MP for Kade, Hon. Ofosu Asamoah told The Chronicle that: “this budget statement is indeed a true reflection of what we the minority held last week as the true state of the nation address”.

He further added that the budget statement presented by the Minister for the year 2013 was the same as what was presented last year.

“What was the NDC government thinking about, we were expecting them to talk about how best they can solve the energy crisis confronting us, is this what Ghanaians want to hear, let's just hope we don't see the same thing next year”, he noted.

He lamented that much capital was not allocated to the water and energy sectors, which he said were the core problems for the ordinary Ghanaian.

On his part, the NPP MP for Effutu, Hon. Alexander Afenyo Markin argued that what the Minister said contradicted the earlier statement by President Mahama, when he appeared before the House to deliver the State of the Nation's address last month.

“There are no clear intervention policies, it is all empty and clear that the NDC government is confused”, he contended.

But some of the NDC MPs disagreed with the Minority MPs. The MP for Nanton, Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed said the budget statement was full of hope and had brought to rest the issue of huge budget deficit.

He, however, disclosed that the 12% deficit the Minister said would confront the country in the year 2013 could have been cut down to 6%if the NDC government had avoided some of the project initiated by the previous NPP government.

He added that the critical areas are water for the people, electricity and agriculture, which he said the budget statement had not left out.

'I think the budget is indeed a hope for Ghanaians, and before anyone should criticize it, I will advise the person to put Ghana first”, he said.

He emphasized that the budget statement has done well in expanding the various social intervention programs, like the school feeding programs, free uniforms, laptops, just to mention a few.

Also contributing was the MP for Pru East, Dr. Kwabena Donkor, who said the statement was progressive. 'Take a look at the social intervention programs and clinics. This is what we the social democrats will say is the core of the matter, though it is an abridged version of the budget, I will say it is in the right direction”.

Dr. Donkor stated that the government should be congratulated and complemented for a good work done.

Another MP for North Dayi, Hon. George Loh lauded the government for not pretending that “all is good”. According to him the budget statement was on the right path.