Ofori-Atta ‘Ready’ To Present 2023 Budget Despite Threats By Majority MPs

Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has hinted that he will present the 2023 Budget in Parliament next week despite the threat of a boycott by over 90 Majority MPs.

The minister’s comment comes at the back of at a time when some NPP MPs have threatened to boycott the 2023 budget statement if he (Mr Ofori-Atta) is not sacked.

In an interview shortly after he had testified before the ad hoc committee hearing a censure motion against him, he was asked whether he would be the one to present the 2023 budget, and Mr Ofori-Atta replied:

“Yeah, expect so. That seems to be a weird question.”

According to Mr Ofori-Atta, although the hearing has been cumbersome, he believes it is “democracy in play.”

On October 25, it could be recalled that the NPP MPs, in a press conference, stated that they were displeased with the management of the economy under Ken Ofori-Atta.

“It’s not only the budget that we will boycott. We will no longer be a part of any government business. That is the position we have taken. It starts from now,” leader of the rebel NPP MPs, Andy Appiah-Kubi, said.

“Ofori-Atta is not the only one with knowledge; he must go. I can assure you we will not backtrack on our decision. If the President refuses to sack him, it’s up to him,” he added.

According to Deputy Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the 2023 budget statement will be presented on November 24. The budget was earlier scheduled to be presented on November 15, 2022.

But the Effutu MP said the postponement was due to “unforeseen development.”