Minority Poised to Boycott 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review as Political Tensions Rise

Accra, Ghana – A possible boycott looms over today’s presentation of the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, as credible intelligence suggests the Minority Caucus in Parliament may absent itself from the session in a show of political dissent.

According to Joy FM’s Parliamentary Correspondent, Kweku Asante, the Minority has reportedly planned alternative engagements outside the parliamentary precinct at 12:00 PM—the exact time Dr. Forson is scheduled to present the mid-year budget.

The Minority’s planned withdrawal appears to be a deliberate political maneuver to protest unresolved grievances and highlight concerns regarding governance and policy direction under the current administration.

Petition and Stakeholder Engagements Planned

Sources indicate that the Minority will use the time to present a petition to various national stakeholders, including:

• President John Dramani Mahama
• The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO)
• Civil society organizations involved in governance and accountability

While the specific content of their grievances has not been publicly disclosed, previous protest actions by the Minority have typically centered around:

• Alleged abuse of executive power
• Economic mismanagement
• Controversial parliamentary procedures
• Perceived lack of transparency and accountability in governance

Boycotts as a Tool of Parliamentary Protest

Boycotting major legislative sessions is not a new phenomenon in Ghana’s democratic history. Over the years, both the NDC and NPP, depending on their status as Minority, have employed walkouts or absences to register dissatisfaction.

• Under the NPP administration, the NDC staged walkouts over alleged human rights abuses and disputed loan agreements.
• Conversely, the NPP Minority has also boycotted parliamentary proceedings under the NDC government over economic concerns and perceived breaches of democratic norms.

Though the Constitution mandates the Finance Minister to deliver the Mid-Year Review, the absence of the Minority would effectively undermine bipartisan scrutiny, weakening the legitimacy and impact of the budget statement.

Implications for Parliamentary Harmony and National Perception

Observers note that the timing of the boycott—during such a critical fiscal address—sends a powerful political signal, particularly to:

• The Ghanaian public, who rely on Parliament for checks and balances;
• International partners and investors, who watch Ghana’s political stability closely; and
• Civil society and advocacy groups, who continuously call for enhanced parliamentary accountability.

The Mid-Year Budget Review is expected to highlight:

• Fiscal performance for the first half of 2025;
• Revised revenue and expenditure estimates;
• Updates on debt, inflation, and policy reforms under the IMF-supported programme.

If the boycott proceeds, public attention will likely shift from the content of the budget to the growing rift between the Majority and Minority in Parliament, raising questions about cooperation and democratic functionality ahead of the next general elections.

Source: MyJoyOnline.com

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