The Executive Director of ASEPA, Mr. Mensah Thompson has questioned the constitutionality of the Finance Minister’s amendments to the 2022 budget.
He was responding to the Minister of Finance’s press conference on Monday, which sought to address controversies surrounding the approval of the 2022 budget statement and economic policy of government.
At the Press conference the Minister of Finance among other things made some concessions, calling for consensus for the 2022 budget.
Among others, the Minister stated that “Relating to the Aker Energy transaction, we shall amend paragraph 829 of the 2022 Budget on the acquisition of a stake from Aker Energy and AGM Petroleum by GNPC, to reflect the resolution of Parliament dated 6th July, 2021.
On the benchmark values, he promised to put measure in place to avert any hardships to importers and consumers while safeguarding the interest of local manufacturing industries to secure and expand jobs for our people.
Regarding the tidal waves, which rendered about 3,000 people homeless in Keta, Ken Ofori-Atta announced a budgetary allocations of at least GHS10 million to complete the Feasibility and Engineering studies for the coastal communities adversely affected.
But speaking to Peacefm, the ASEPA boss, believe the Minister of finance lacks the constitutional powers to amend a budget in the manner in which same is being done.
‘’The amendments must be approved. The Finance Minister cannot claimed to make an amendment to a budget, in lieu of approval,’’ he stated.