His Royal Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has added his voice to the seeming stalemate that has characterized the approval of the 2022 budget Statement and Economic Policy of government.
The Minority side on November 26th, 2021, voted to reject the 2022 budget.
They demanded for certain portions of the budget to be amended.
The Minority had, among others, opposed the E-levies, the inclusion of the Agyapa royalty deal, as well as the framing of the Aker energy deal.
But on November, 30, 2021, the Majority, set aside the Minority’s decision, citing constitutional and standing order breaches.
This saw the subsequent approval of the 2022 budget, albeit the Minority’s abscence.
On December 01, 2021, the Minority filed a motion seeking to set aside the Majority’s approval of the budget.
This was subsequently rejected by the Deputy-Speaker of Parliament, HON. Joseph Osei Owusu.
Speaking at Manhyia Palace on Sunday December 12, the Asantehene waded into the controversy in parliament.
According to him, Government must always have the humility to acknowledge and embrace useful inputs from all sources.
He also remarked that the decision by parliament to subject the budget to strictest proof, was in the nation’s interest.
The Asantehene, however, cautioned that:
“But our representatives need to also bear in mind that it is not the role to either determine policy for the executive or to frustrate them from performing their legitimate duty.’’
Meanwhile, the Minority Chief Whip, Hon. Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka , has assured that the Minority is not out to obstruct the government.
He contends that the decision of the Minority to demand the annulment of the decision of the Majority to approve the budget, is aimed at protecting the sanctity of parliamentary and constitutional processes.