NDC MPs were supporting 2022 Budget in private

The Member of Parliament (MP) for the Sekondi Constituency, Lawyer Egyapa Mercer has said that even though the National Democratic Congress (NDC) were publicly rejecting the budget, they supported it and wanted it approved.

Parliament on Friday, Nov 26, rejected the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of Government presented by Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, on November 17, 2021.

All 137 Minority Members of Parliament (MPS) voted against the motion when the question was put by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin.

Parliament of Ghana on Tuesday, November 30, approved the 2022 Budget with the majority of MPs present as they agreed for it to be approved.

There has been a lot of controversies surrounding the approval of the budget as the minority in parliament has termed the process as illegal since the number of MPs in parliament did not make up the fifty per cent as it should be.

Mr Mercer speaking on Skyy Power 93.5FM on Wednesday, December 1, indicated that the NDC only rejected the budget for the first time just to ‘tickle’ their supporters and to also put false hope.

However, he later indicated that the E-levy which most of the population are against is just to accumulate more revenue in the country which will desist the government from borrowing from international bodies since that is not the right way to develop as a country.

He later indicated the NDC MPs who were rejecting the budget in public were praising it in private, he said; They have done critical examination on the budget and they have realised this is the best budget and way to increase revenue.

They will meet you in private and be like, ‘chale’ you guys that is the right way to go but we will not allow, they can see the potential development that money can generate without increasing the debt burden.”