Come and let’s debate on the mid-year budget review — Minority invites Bawumia

The Minority Caucus in Parliament has invited Vice President and NPP flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to participate in the debate on the Mid-Year Fiscal Review of the 2024 Budget.

In a statement issued by Deputy Minority Whip Ahmed Ibrahim on July 24, the Minority said "This debate begins on Thursday, 25th July, 2024 in the Parliamentary Chamber at 10 O'clock in the forenoon."

The Minority is extending this public invitation to Dr. Bawumia given his role as Chairman of the Economic Management Team of the government.

"Pursuant to the Vice President's recent call for a debate on the economy, this invitation presents Alhaji Bawumia an excellent opportunity and forum to debate and account for his stewardship over the last seven and a half years (7.5 years) as Chairman of the Economic Management Team," the statement said in part.

The Minority has lined up a team of experienced and knowledgeable members including ranking members of key committees such as Finance, Energy and Agriculture to debate Dr. Bawumia.

"For a government that has completely destroyed Ghana's economy, rendered 33.3% of Ghana's population extremely poor, and about two million Ghanaians facing acute food and nutrition insecurity, according to the World Bank, and about 35% of Ghana's youth unemployed (the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa), the Minority finds it bewildering that Alhaji Bawumia still has the audacity to call for a debate," the statement noted.

The mid-year budget review presented to Parliament by Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam on Tuesday paints a positive outlook for the economy, with growth exceeding projections and inflation declining significantly.

However, the opposition lawmakers describe it as uninspiring, saying it offers no concrete ideas to revive the ailing economy.