The incoming Vice-President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, could deliver the temporary budget statement in Parliament upon the assumption of office by the National Democratic Congress administration on January 7, 2025, the party’s caucus in Parliament has indicated.

The party has consequently doused concerns over the failure of the outgoing government to deliver the Expenditure in Advance of Appropriation, which would allow the incoming administration a three-month window to spend in the public purse ahead of the full budget statement to Parliament.

With the current government yet to present the 2025 mini-budget, there have been fears over funding arrangements for early next year.

In a statement dated December 20, 2024, however, the Minority Leader in Parliament, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, expressed disappointment over the government’s failure to present the budget.

He assured Ghanaians of steps to address the development, saying, “There is no cause for alarm! Even though there will be no Minister of Finance on January 7, 2025, the Vice-President can present to this House the Expenditure in Advance of Appropriation any time after swearing-in on January 7, 2025, and Parliament will be properly constituted to expedite approval of the same”.

He cautioned that the outgoing Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government would be responsible for all unmet commitments and obligations of the state from January 1 to January 7, 2025.