Minority opposes GH¢1.9b budget allocation to presidency

A GH¢1.9 billion allocation to the Presidency is raising eyebrows among members of the minority in parliament.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs raised the alarm during the opening of the budget debate on Tuesday, November 21.

According to Ranking Member of Parliament’s Finance Committee, Ato Forson, the huge allocation to the office of government machinery is at the detriment of other crucial sectors which need funds to execute their policies.

Mr Forson holds the view that this year’s allocation, is a significant leap from last year’s GH¢1.5 billion. He also called for the withdrawal of the financial statement since it breaches portions of the public Financial Management act.

But in a sharp rebuttal, Chairman of the Finance Committee, Dr Mark Assibey Yeboah, justified the allocation to the Presidency saying, GH¢1.2 billion out of the earmarked funds will go into government’s flagship free SHS policy.