Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has emphasized the critical role of the post-budget workshop in equipping Members of Parliament (MPs) to fully understand the policy statements and financial estimates within the 2025 Budget.
He underscored Parliament’s pivotal role in either approving or rejecting the budget, stating, “We must review, debate, and decide whether to pass or reject the budget.
Speaking at the 2025 Post-Budget Workshop in Parliament on Saturday, March 15, Ayariga stressed that the budget reflects the government’s commitments to Ghanaians and pointed to the need for thorough scrutiny to align these commitments with the aspirations of the people.
Ayariga urged MPs to actively engage in the two-day event, emphasizing the importance of grasping both the policy and financial dimensions of the budget.
Acknowledging that not all MPs are equally versed in policy and financial matters, the Majority leader explained that the workshop provides a unique opportunity to deepen understanding beyond independent reading and public commentary.
“The goal is to help us comprehend the budget’s policy statements and figures, enabling us to assess their impact on our constituents—market women, motorbike riders, teachers, students, and others,” he said.
Guide for MPs
He revealed that experts have been assembled to guide MPs through the complexities of the budget, ensuring lawmakers are well-prepared to engage meaningfully in discussions and debates.
Hon. Ayariga also highlighted the distinct roles of the Majority and Minority Caucuses, challenging the Majority to connect the budget figures to campaign promises and the government’s agenda to “reset Ghana.”
For the Minority, he urged critical analysis to identify gaps and weaknesses, fostering a balanced and informed debate.
He cautioned MPs against complacency, urging full participation in the workshop.
“Don’t assume you know it all and skip this exercise. Often, the difference between effective delivery on the floor and struggling comes down to whether one participated in this workshop,” he noted.
He expressed gratitude to the Speaker of Parliament for facilitating the engagement, the Clerk of Parliament for organizing the event, and his colleagues for prioritizing the workshop despite their busy schedules.
The two-day workshop, running from March 15 to 16, 2025, provides MPs with the insights needed to scrutinize and deliberate on the national budget, ensuring it aligns with Ghana’s developmental goals and serves the best interests of its citizens.
The workshop features plenary and breakout sessions that provide in-depth discussions on various aspects of the 2025 Budget. Some key topics to be covered include:
- The macroeconomic and fiscal environment of the 2025 Budget
- Public sector debt management
- Revenue mobilization and taxation strategies
- Policy objectives and sector estimates
- Programme-Based Budgeting (PBB)
Additionally, breakout sessions will focus on critical sectors such as education, health, agriculture, employment generation, and infrastructure. The workshop concluded with a plenary session on the “24-Hour Economy and the 2025 Budget”, a subject central to Ghana’s economic transformation agenda.
By Osumanu Al-Hassan/thenewsbulletin24.com