Ghana’s parliament has approved a provisional budget totaling 68.1 billion Ghanaian cedis ($4.65 billion), ensuring government operations can continue through March. The approval, announced by Speaker Alban Bagbin, was made following a late-night session on Thursday, narrowly avoiding a potential government shutdown.
The provisional budget is typically passed in election years to cover the period until the new president is sworn in. This year’s approval faced delays due to a dispute over which political party, the outgoing New Patriotic Party (NPP) or the incoming National Democratic Congress (NDC), holds the majority in parliament. Despite the delay, the provisional budget was approved in time to prevent any disruption to government services.
A significant portion of the funds, nearly one-third, will be allocated to payments for energy-sector service providers. The energy sector has been a focus of concern, with President-elect John Dramani Mahama previously warning that arrears in the sector had exceeded $2.5 billion amid inconsistent power supply. Mahama, who won the December 7 election, will take office next week, marking his return to the presidency after serving from 2012 to 2016.
Outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo is expected to deliver his final state of the nation address later today, concluding his eight-year term.
The passage of the provisional budget is seen as a necessary step in ensuring continuity in government operations and addressing the financial needs of the country during this transition period.