Why NDC MPs refused to approve 'Asempa' budget

16:27 - 15 March 2017

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During the debate, minority chief whip, Muntaka Mubarak said the House lacked quorum at the time of the budget approval.

The Minority caucus in Parliament walked out of the House on Wednesday, 15 March, 2017, over what they describe as unconstitutionality during the debate on the 2017 budget.

During the debate, minority chief whip, Muntaka Mubarak said the House lacked quorum at the time of the budget, hence it must not be approved.

The policy decision by government to cut the allocation to the District Assemblies’ Common Fund was unconstitutional and was the main reason for the exit by the minority MPs.

Muntaka said "As at the time he was putting the question we were 129 in the chamber. We didn’t have the number to conduct that business.

He accused the Speaker of Parliament of being partisan. "Look at where I stand. I think the Speaker is making himself too partisan."

Mubarak noted that "With the greatest respect he should move beyond partisanship… and begin to treat as fairly. All we are saying is that just give us our space and then let them have their way. Because our major challenge is that this issue of the Common Fund is a constitutional one and we cannot sit and supervise unconstitutionality."