The Vice President of IMANI-Africa, Bright Simons, has voiced criticism against Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, for his assertion that he would proceed with spending on the 2024 budget despite it not receiving approval from Parliament.
Mr Simons raised significant concerns about the sustainability of International Monetary Fund (IMF) funding for a program that lacks national consensus.
In a tweet shared on X, Simons questioned the need for conciliation when the IMF appears willing to continue funding a program of such magnitude without achieving a consensus on the national level.
Ghana's Finance Minister says he will defy Parliament & start spending on the budget despite the Speaker's position that the budget has not been approved. Well, so long as the IMF is fine to keep funding a program of this scale with ZERO NATIONAL CONSENSUS, why be conciliatory? pic.twitter.com/WSkjfNYydl
— Bright Simons (@BBSimons) December 3, 2023
Ofori-Atta, on November 29, 2023, expressed confidence in the budget’s approval, referencing the parliamentary proceedings.
He argued that there was clear approval during a voice count initiated by the Speaker, even after a walkout by the Majority due to disagreements on voting procedures.
The Finance Minister asserted, “We all heard the Speaker. And it was very clear that the Ayes have it. I think the Ayes have it.”