<<Print>>

Peacefmonline.com can authoritatively confirm that the Vice President, HE Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, will today not be in Parliament to observe the presentation of the 2022 Budget Statement and Government Economic Policy.

Though it was often not the usual occurrence for a President or even the Vice President to be present during a budget reading, it had become a regular feature since the advent of the Fourth Republic for Ghanaians to see Dr Bawumia seated in Parliament, and somewhat providing moral support for the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, as he presents the government’s economic policy.

However, on Wednesday, November 17th, this spectacle which used to be as constant as the Northern Star since the Akufo-Addo led NPP administration assumed office, will be markedly missing.

Why Dr Bawumia Can't Be In Parliament! 

The Vice President, is currently acting as president, - since President Akufo-Addo is on leave - and as such will have to be ushered in a special way done to any president who enters the chamber.

Additionally, the President, by constitutional mandate allows the finance minister to read the budget on his (president's) behalf, so should Dr Bawumia (acting president) make a appearance in Parliament today, he will be required to read his own budget.

It is in this regard that the Vice President will not be in parliament for the budget presentation.

Previous Appearances

The Veep has constantly joined Parliamentarians for the presentation of the budget in accordance with Article 111 of the 1992 constitution.

Article 111 which talks about Attendance in Parliament of Vice President and Ministers states that, "The Vice-President, or a Minister or Deputy Minister who is not a member of Parliament, shall be entitled to participate in the proceedings of Parliament and shall be accorded all the privileges of a member of Parliament except that he is not entitled to vote or to hold an office in Parliament."

The Vice President is the head of the Economic Management Team.