Okaikwei Central MP, Patrick Yaw Boamah has urged Parliament to reconsider plans to hold its post-budget workshop in Ho, proposing that the event be hosted in Parliament instead to reduce expenditure.
Patrick Boamah raised his concern after the Majority Leader, James Agalga had disclosed that the post-budget workshop has been scheduled for November 15 to 17 at the Volta Serene Hotel after the Finance Minister presents the Budget on November 12.
He argued that moving all 276 Members of Parliament, parliamentary staff, security personnel and other participants to the Volta Region would impose additional costs on the public purse through transportation, accommodation and feeding.
Contributing to the discussion in Parliament on Friday, November 6, the lawmaker said the Legislature must be mindful of the country’s economic circumstances and the financial pressures facing the Parliamentary Service and MPs.
He proposed that the parliamentary chamber be used for the workshop, noting that it had hosted similar post-budget discussions in the past.
“We as a House must be mindful of the state of the Ghanaian economy and also the Parliamentary Service and also on members,” he said.
Mr Boamah also raised concerns about ongoing road construction works along sections of the Accra-Ho route, warning that the journey could expose participants to delays and additional risks.
He cited construction works on the Tema Motorway and sections of the Tema-Akosombo and Accra-Ho roads as reasons Parliament should reconsider the proposed venue.
“Mr. Speaker, looking at the cost involved, I humbly submit to your good self and the leadership of Parliament that this Chamber is very well-suited to host this post budget workshop.
“Mr. Speaker, if we look at the cost overlay, the risk involved, given the fact that the Accra-Ho stretch is a construction site, Tema motorway, 20km is under construction, Tema- Akosombo from Assikuma junction to Ho is under construction.
“So, why must we waste so much travel time, risk, expenditure, hotel bills, feeding, everything, taking our police officers to Ho for three days, drivers, amongst others,” he added.
He questioned the need to incur transportation, hotel, feeding and other logistical expenses, including the cost of deploying police officers and drivers to Ho for three days.
“So, I beg you, let us save the nation some cost. This Chamber can host this post-budget discussion. We have had it here before,” he appealed.
He maintained that holding the workshop in Parliament would provide a suitable venue while helping the House avoid what he considers unnecessary expenditure.
The workshop is expected to allow for a constructive engagement on the relevant policy issues and the principles underpinning the Budget statement.
