The much anticipated presentation of the government’s Expenditure in Advance of Appropriation for January to March 2025 is expected to be taken this week as Parliament commences its seventh meeting of the fourth session following a break in proceedings for campaign activities leading to the December 7 general election. This item which is one of the key business outstanding for consideration of the House spells out the amount needed for government activities to continue running amidst a transition from the Akufo-Addo-led administration which is set to expire on 6th January 2025 to a new administration headed by former President John Dramani Mahama in the aftermath of his election win.

As advertised on the Order Paper at its first sitting on Monday, the abovementioned item was to be taken with a customary tabling of the document before the House ahead of a motion at a later date but rescheduled to Tuesday as Finance Minister Amin Adam (MP, Karaga) was absent in Parliament. Ghana’s Constitution, 1992, gives Parliament powers to approve government spending from the consolidated fund. For the 3 months period next year, the outgoing government is seeking parliamentary approval to withdraw a total sum of GH¢68,134,674,527 from the Consolidated Fund to enable government services continue as the new government takes office effective January 8th, 2025.

Article 180: “Where it appears to the President that the Appropriation Act in respect of any financial year will not come into operation by the beginning of that financial year, he may, with the prior approval of Parliament by a resolution, authorise the withdrawal of moneys from the Consolidated Fund for the purpose of meeting expenditure necessary to carry on the services of the Government in respect of the period expiring three months from the beginning of the financial year or on the coming into operation of the Act whichever is earlier.”

Parliament is racing against time to conclude outstanding business before it breaks for Christmas. The Speaker, Alban Bagbin, urged the House to prioritise key government business including Ghana Boundary Commission Bill, Social Protection Bill, and Environmental Protection Bill before the Eighth Parliament becomes dissolved on January 6th. Others include; Parliamentary Transition and Parliamentary Service Bills, in addition to a few reports of the Public Accounts Committee pending approval. All things being equal, if Dr. Amin Adam indeed tables the expenditure before the House on Tuesday, it will be referred to the Finance Committee for consideration and report back to plenary for debate and decision by voice vote of Members present by the end of the week.