Parliament has adjourned without presenting the crucial mini-budget, raising concerns of a potential government shutdown. The Finance Minister, Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, has failed to attend the chamber for the fifth consecutive day, preventing the reading of the vital financial statement.

The absence of the Finance Minister has stalled key parliamentary business, including the Vote on Account, a temporary financial measure needed to keep government operations running until the full 2025 budget is passed by the incoming administration.

Frustration mounted, particularly among members of the opposition, as parliamentary proceedings ground to a halt. Parliament is now adjourned until January 2, 2025.

Following the adjournment, Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin accused the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs of obstructing progress. He specifically pointed to the NDC’s opposition to the Free SHS Bill, which was unexpectedly removed from the order paper. Afenyo-Markin claimed this move was part of an effort to stymie the government’s legislative agenda.

The mini-budget, which was expected to outline government expenditure and revenue for the interim period, remains unresolved, with mounting uncertainty over the country’s financial future.

Source:TheDotNews