Parliament to approve 2008 budget today

Page 16, Dec 5, 2007
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
PARLIAMENT is expected to give approval to the 2008 budget, which was presented to the House by the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu on Thursday, November 15, 2007, today.
Consequently, the House sat for only 12 minutes on Tuesday to give members ample time to meet at the various committee levels to consider the 2008 budget estimates for the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).
Since the House is expected to rise soon for the yuletide, the various committees are speeding up the processes for the approval of budget estimates for the MDAs.
Next year’s budget, named “Brighter Future Budget” was debated in the House mainly on political lines.
While Members of Parliament on the Majority side described the budget as a panacea for the country’s problems, their colleagues from the Minority side said there was nothing in the budget to give Ghanaians hope for brighter future.
It took the diplomatic skills of the Speaker, Mr Ebenezer Begyina Sekyi Hughes and the First Deputy Speaker, Mr Freddie Blay to ensure a smooth debate on the budget.
Mr Baah-Wiredu’s motion for the acceptance of the budget was seconded by the MP for Fanteakwa, Mr Kwadwo Agyei-Addo.