Ato Forson wants to present 2027 budget at 6pm when Ghanaians are asleep — Afenyo-Markin

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has questioned Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson's decision to present the 2027 Budget Statement and Economic Policy at 6pm, suggesting that the timing is intended to keep Ghanaians from following the proceedings.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, November 11, the Effutu MP challenged the reasons behind the evening presentation, asking what the Finance Minister was seeking to avoid by choosing a time when many people might not be following the proceedings.

"We find it very strange that the Finance Minister has chosen 6 PM as the only time for him to come because he wants Ghanaians to be sleeping. He wants Ghanaians to be sleeping because, Speaker, he wants to come here at 6 PM. If he's very clear on his mind, what does he fear?

"But he has chosen to come here at night and the same tomorrow they are changing the currency; the same tomorrow they are doing two things," Afenyo-Markin stated.

However, Majority Leader James Agalga dismissed the suggestion that the government intended to present the budget when Ghanaians would be asleep, explaining that the Finance Minister had another important state engagement scheduled for the same day.

He said the Bank of Ghana was expected to launch new currency notes on November 12, an event the Finance Minister would be required to attend alongside parliamentary leaders and other government officials.

"We are not intent on presenting a budget statement when the people of this country are asleep. That is not what we are intending to do.

"Mr. Speaker ruled in this House that henceforth sitting shall commence at 2 PM. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow there is an important state function. We are launching new currency notes," Agalga explained.

He added that the Finance Minister's role in the management of the country's finances made his presence at the launch necessary.

"We all know that the Finance Minister plays a critical role so far as the finances of our country are concerned and therefore would be in attendance when the notes are being launched. In fact, I am confident that Mr. Speaker himself has been invited and we grace the occasion. Yes. As Majority Leader, I have been invited. So, I am sure my colleague himself has been invited," he said.

The disagreement follows Speaker Alban Bagbin's announcement on Tuesday, November 10, that he had approved a request from Dr Forson to move the 2027 Budget presentation from the usual daytime sitting to 6pm on Thursday, November 12.

The Speaker said the Finance Minister had provided compelling reasons for the change but did not disclose the specific details to the House.

The budget, titled "The New Economy", is expected to outline the government's revenue projections, expenditure priorities and employment creation strategies for the coming financial year.

Under Article 179 of the 1992 Constitution, the Finance Minister, acting on behalf of the President, is required to present the government's revenue and expenditure estimates to Parliament. The Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921), also requires the annual budget to be presented by November 15.

The New Economy programme
Dr Forson has described the 2027 Budget as being anchored in the government's four-year New Economy programme, which is intended to transform the structure of Ghana's economy.

Addressing the National House of Chiefs in Kumasi ahead of the presentation, he said the initiative would focus on moving the country towards a private sector-led and production-oriented economy.

He also warned that persistent youth unemployment posed a serious threat to national stability if the country failed to create more opportunities through productive economic activities.

The programme has been presented as a US$10 billion investment plan. However, the Minority has called for a detailed financing framework showing the respective contributions of government budgetary allocations, private investors, public-private partnerships and borrowing.

Meanwhile, a KPMG pre-budget survey cited by former Finance Minister Dr Mohammed Amin Adam identified employment and the cost of living as major concerns among Ghanaians. The survey found that 71% of respondents considered jobs and youth employment a national priority, while 54% pointed to the high cost of living.

Parliament's revised sitting arrangements

The controversy over the budget timing comes after Speaker Bagbin directed that plenary sittings from Tuesday to Friday should begin at 2pm, with mornings reserved for parliamentary committee activities.

The revised arrangement, which takes effect under Orders 5 and 55 of Parliament's Standing Orders, provides for regular sittings to last 5 hours, meaning proceedings would ordinarily end at 7pm.

The Speaker, however, retains the authority to adjust the timetable to accommodate special parliamentary business.