Afenyo-Markin Accuses NDC of Disrupting Government Operations and Delaying Approval of Transitional Budget

Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Majority Leader in Ghana’s Parliament, has strongly criticized the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) for deliberately obstructing parliamentary proceedings, which he claims has caused delays in the approval of the expenditure plans essential for financing the public service in early 2025. This statement came during a press briefing following Parliament’s adjournment until January 2, 2025. The delay in approving these financial plans has raised concerns about the potential disruption to public services as Ghana enters the first quarter of 2025.

Afenyo-Markin assured the public that the majority side, under the leadership of the Finance Minister, remains fully prepared to present the expenditure plan as soon as Parliament is reconvened. He added that should Parliament be reconvened earlier than expected—before December 31, 2024—the majority would move forward with approving the expenditure plan in order to ensure that Ghanaian public servants receive their due benefits without further delay. This commitment underscores the majority’s willingness to address the needs of the public service despite the challenges posed by the opposition’s actions.

In his address, Afenyo-Markin dismissed claims that the Finance Minister was unprepared for the financial discussions. He emphasized that the expenditure proposal had been submitted to Parliament well in advance, on October 23, 2024. According to him, the real cause of the delay was not the government’s lack of readiness but the obstructionist tactics employed by the NDC. He accused the opposition of engaging in what he termed as “lawlessness,” which, according to him, was responsible for the disruptions in parliamentary business, including the missed sittings meant to address the national budget. Afenyo-Markin’s frustration was evident as he pointed to these actions as the primary reason behind the postponement of critical parliamentary processes, thus delaying the approval of expenditure plans that are vital for ensuring the smooth operation of public services.

Furthermore, the Majority Leader highlighted specific instances where the NDC’s actions had further complicated the functioning of Parliament. He recalled a situation where, upon receiving a notice from the Speaker of Parliament about the resumption of parliamentary proceedings on the 16th, members of the opposition took their seats in the majority section of the chamber. Afenyo-Markin expressed confusion and frustration over this behavior, questioning why the NDC had initially occupied seats reserved for the majority side, only to later change their approach without clear explanation. For Afenyo-Markin, this inconsistent behavior of the NDC was another example of the opposition’s attempts to derail parliamentary business and create unnecessary confusion.

Despite these challenges, the Majority Leader reaffirmed the commitment of the government to continue working on critical legislative matters. He stressed that the majority, led by the Finance Minister, remains ready to approve essential financial plans and legislation, such as the pre-SHS bill and expenditure on account, in the best interest of the nation and its citizens. Afenyo-Markin emphasized that whenever Parliament reconvenes, the majority side will be prepared to carry out its duties responsibly and ensure that necessary legislation is passed to secure the financial stability of the country and meet the needs of its people.

The delays in addressing the transitional expenditure have sparked growing concerns among Ghanaians, as the public anxiously awaits a resolution to ensure that there will be no disruptions to public services in the early part of 2025. The situation highlights the importance of timely approval of the national budget and the expenditure plan, as well as the need for cooperation between the ruling party and the opposition to avoid unnecessary delays. Afenyo-Markin concluded his remarks by calling on the Speaker of Parliament to demonstrate firmness in managing the opposition’s actions and to ensure that the legislative process proceeds without further obstruction. He made it clear that the majority side remains committed to fulfilling its responsibilities, regardless of the challenges posed by the opposition, and will continue to act in the interest of the Ghanaian people.