Ghana’s government faces a potential shutdown if Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, or his representative, fails to present a mini budget in Parliament today. The budget, crucial for government operations in the first quarter of 2025, was delayed due to the political impasse over the majority caucus.
Usually presented in November during election years, the mini-budget outlines basic government spending. However, with John Mahama’s opposition party set to return to power, the current government has been slow to act. Parliament is set to rise soon, meaning failure to present the budget could leave both the outgoing and incoming governments without funds for January, leading to a shutdown.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) minority accuses the government of deliberately delaying the budget in retaliation for the NDC’s earlier refusal to approve a tax waiver. Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson warned of severe consequences if the budget is not presented, threatening sanctions against the Finance Minister.
While the majority in Parliament promises the budget will be laid today, the country watches closely. If not presented, this would mark a first for Ghana with grave economic implications. The situation mirrors recent events in the U.S., where the failure to pass a spending plan has also triggered shutdown fears.
Sources suggest that the budget will likely be presented, avoiding an unprecedented economic disruption.
