I have not heard that NPP MPs don’t want me to present 2023 budget – Ofori-Atta

The beleaguered Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta will present the 2023 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of government on Thursday, November 24.

The budget reading which was supposed to have been read on Tuesday, November 15, was postponed due to the government’s ongoing negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

However, even before that, there have been some grievances within the Majority caucus as to who to present it.

According to the MP for Asante Akyem North, Andy Appiah-Kubi, who doubles as spokesperson for the aggrieved NPP MPs, the 98 MPs will boycott the budget reading should Mr Ofori-Atta be the one to present it. 

“We’ve gone back to (our demand for the President to) sack him now and therefore should the budget be presented under the stamp of the Finance Minister, we’ll not participate because as far as we’re concerned we’re never going to do business with him.

However, in an interview with JoyNews’ on Friday, Mr Ofori-Atta said he has not been notified of the matter officially. 

“Yes I expect so. I haven’t heard that (NPP MPs opposition) officially so I expect to read it.”

Mr. Appiah-Kubi explained further that, “if we’re not going to do business with him, he does not participate in any process from the Presidency to the House. We will not participate in deliberations too.”

He added that they will only participate in the budget presentation and appropriation if someone else from government is appointed to present the budget.

“We’re not saying we won’t do President’s business. We’re saying we won’t do President’s business through Ofori-Atta. 

So if anybody else comes with President’s business, we’ll participate,” he said.

The 2023 budget forecasts government’s expenditure and revenue for the ensuing year.

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