Accra: Parliament Saturday commenced a three-day post-budget workshop at the Parliament House in Accra, to equip Members of Parliament (MPs) with the necessary tools and knowledge to effectively scrutinise and analyse the 2025 Budget Statement and Economic Policy. Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin emphasised the importance of the national budget, stating that it is the most important policy instrument of any government, as it declares government policy priorities and provides the roadmap for the direction of national development. He noted the budget was a technical and complex document, making it challenging for citizens and MPs to fully appreciate its implications.
According to Ghana News Agency, the workshop aims to ensure that MPs are better positioned to critique the 2025 budget statement, asking the right questions, assessing trade-offs, and understanding the potential long-term effects of policy choices. The Speaker urged MPs to participate actively, ask questions, and share thoughts. The Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, highlighted the significance of the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government, describing it as a blueprint that reflects collective vision, priorities, and aspirations. He emphasised the importance of critical engagement, evidence-based analysis, and constructive dialogue in evaluating fiscal policies and revenue projections.
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga underscored the workshop's significance in helping MPs comprehend both policy statements and financial estimates in the budget. He stressed that MPs had a responsibility to either approve or reject the budget based on its alignment with national development priorities. He urged the Majority Caucus to ensure that the budget aligned with the government's 'Reset Ghana' agenda, aimed at revitalizing the economy.
Minority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin emphasized the importance of continuous learning in parliamentary governance. He pointed out that MPs come from diverse professional backgrounds, making capacity-building essential for effective participation in budget debates. Understanding the budget's intricacies allows MPs to engage in meaningful discussions and identify discrepancies, such as differences between allocated funds and actual expenditures.
Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson described the workshop as an essential platform for assessing the budget ahead of its approval. He reiterated that the 2025 budget was designed to 'reset the Ghanaian economy for the people of Ghana.' The workshop's primary goal was to equip MPs and Senior Officers of the Parliamentary Service with the skills required for scrutinising the Budget and Economic Policy of the Executive arm of government for the 2025 fiscal year.
The event featured plenary sessions and break-out sessions, covering topics such as the macroeconomic framework, sector-specific details, and taxation and revenue mobilization strategies. Experts led discussions on key areas, including the IMF Programme, public sector debt management, and policy objectives and targets. The workshop enriched Parliamentary scrutiny of the 2025 Budget Statement and Economic Policy, reinforcing Ghana's commitment to accountable and responsible governance.
While acknowledging the country's economic challenges, Dr. Forson assured MPs that the government had introduced innovative strategies to address them. He stated that the government recognizes the economic crisis but has put in place interventions to resolve these challenges. The 2025 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government was presented to Parliament by Dr. Forson, the Minister of Finance, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, under the theme: 'Resetting Ghana for the Economy We Want.'
