Speaker Of Parliament To Evoke Order 148 On Monday.

The Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Edward Doe Adjaho, has served notice to evoke Order 148 of the Standing Orders of Parliament to make sure all unfinished businesses are dealt with before the House rises for the Christmas holidays.

The Speaker gave the notice during sittings on Friday after the presentation of the Business Statement for the following week. According to the business statement read by the Majority Chief Whip, Alhaji Mohamed Muntaka, the House is expected to rise for recess on Monday or Tuesday.

However, some of the budget estimates for the various Ministries, Department and Agencies as well as the Appropriation bill for government expenditure in the 2016 financial year are yet to receive approval from the House.

The Order in question indicates that” On the last days allowed for debating the Budget Mr. Speaker shall, fifteen minutes before the adjournment of the sitting, put every question necessary for disposing of all the outstanding matters on the budget.”

By this, the Speaker would be expected to put a general question for all outstanding businesses concerning the 2016 budget to be approved wholesale without any further debates or contributions.

This Order will ensure that funds are approved for public expenditure for next year. However, it will also allow for very little scrutiny of the outstanding businesses before the wholesale approval.

Source: Clement Akoloh.