Members of Parliament (MPs) have held a three-day post-budget workshop at the Parliament House in Accra, to equip themselves with the necessary tools and knowledge to effectively scrutinise and analyse the 2025 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of Government.
Opening the workshop on Saturday, Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, underscored the importance of the national budget.
“The national budget is the most important policy instrument of any government, as it declares government policy priorities and provides the roadmap for the direction of national development,” he emphasised.
According to him, the budget is a technical and complex document, making it challenging for citizens and MPs to fully appreciate its implications.
Speaker Bagbin said the workshop was aimed at ensuring that MPs were better positioned to critique the 2025 budget statement, asking the right questions, assessing trade-offs, and understanding the potential long-term effects of policy choices.
He urged MPs to participate actively, ask questions and share thoughts
Blueprint document
Also addressing the lawmaker, the Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, said the “The Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government is one of the most significant policy documents in the governance of the nation.
“It is a blueprint containing fiscal policy measures that reflects our collective vision, priorities, and aspirations.”
Mr. Djietror emphasised the importance of critical engagement, evidence-based analysis, and constructive dialogue in evaluating fiscal policies and revenue projections.
Majority Leader’s remarks
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga underscored the workshop’s significance in helping MPs comprehend both policy statements and financial estimates in the budget.
He stressed that MPs had a responsibility to either approve or reject the budget based on its alignment with national development priorities.
“We all appreciate that it is our responsibility to review, understand, debate, and decide whether to approve or reject the budget. This process is critical to ensuring that government policies fulfil the commitments made to Ghanaians,” Mr. Ayariga said.
He has however urged the Majority Caucus to ensure that the budget aligned with the government’s ‘Reset Ghana’ agenda, aimed at revitalizing the economy.
Minority Leader on budget discrepancies
Minority Leader Osahen Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin emphasised the importance of continuous learning in parliamentary governance.
He pointed out that MPs came from diverse professional backgrounds, making capacity-building essential for effective participation in budget debates.
“Understanding the budget’s intricacies allows us to engage in meaningful discussions. For example, if the Finance Minister allocates $1.5 billion to agriculture, but only $924 million appears in actual expenditure, with a significant portion allocated to compensation, MPs must be equipped to identify and question such discrepancies,” he stated.
Osahen Afenyo-Markin commended the Speaker of Parliament for his leadership in organising the workshop and acknowledged the contributions of parliamentary staff in coordinating the programme. He encouraged MPs, particularly first timers, to actively participate in the training sessions rather than viewing them as routine meetings.
“Do not walk in and out of sessions. Stay, engage, and build your capacity. This will enhance your confidence in debates and strengthen your ability to represent your constituents effectively,” he advised.
‘Reset Agenda’
On his part, Minister for Finance Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson described the workshop as an essential platform for assessing the budget ahead of its approval.
He reiterated that the 2025 budget was designed to “reset the Ghanaian economy for the people of Ghana.”
