This Parliament don’t have the gut to reject budget – Bernard Mornah

The former National Chairman of the Peoples National Convention (PNC), Bernard Mornah has said unlike Ghana’s 1979 Parliament, this current parliament does not have the gut to reject budget presented by government.

According to him, that explains why government and its ministers act the way they do.

Mr Mornah said Ghana 3^rd Republican Parliament rejected the budget presented by the Dr Hilla Limann’s People’s National Party’s administration despite being the majority at the time.

“The budget can be rejected too. In 1979 President Limann’s budget was rejected. I said in 1979 President Limann had majority in parliament but his budget was rejected so this budget can be rejected….but this is a Parliament that cannot reject a parliament so this is an indictment on you”.

“The issue is that Sabo has made the conclusion that this is not a Parliament that can reject a budget. You did not see what they have done to themselves? They decided to approve minister who has not qualified to be in Parliament, you have not seen that they go and approve policies and bills that are of little consequences in terms of improving the fortunes of the people of Ghana and they come out laughing,” Mr Mornah jabs.

“Sincerely this is not the kind of Parliament that has capacity to reject a budget and therefore they can do what they want to do because they know it will pass. Otherwise, let the budget be rejected let them”

Mr Mornah was speaking on Pan African Television’s Good Morning Africa on Friday, November 19, monitored by GhanaPlus.com.

He was reacting to the directive by the Minister of Roads and Highways, Mr Kwesi Amoako-Atta, halting the collection of road tolls following the abolishing of same by the 2022 budget and subsequent reaction from parliament.

 Gov’t of Ghana abolish road tolls

 The Minister of Finance, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta on November 17 announced during the presentation of the 2022 budget statement to parliament that government has abolished road tolls across all bridges and tolls booths in the country.

 According to him, the abolishment has become necessary to mitigate the impact of heavily vehicular traffic and it accompanying challenges at the toll points across the country.

 The decision was to takes effect immediately the budget is approved (after appropriation or now?).

Cease collection of road tolls – Amoako Atta

However, hours after the announcement, the Mr Amoako-Atta through a statement announced the cessation of the tolls a development Parliament found it an affront to the house.

Honurably withdraw directive on road toll cessation –Speaker of Parliament

The Speaker have subsequently directed the Minister, also a Member of Parliament to withdraw the statement and do the needful.

He is however, yet to rescind the decision.

A statement from the Ministry of Roads and Transport following the directive said the directive was to  avert any unfortunate development following the announcement of the abolishment of the tolls.

The maintain the directive was not to suspend the operationalisation of the tolls but not to suspend the law backing it.

Source: GhanaPlus.com