Parliament's leaders clashed over the 6pm reading of the 2027 Budget, hours before Ato Forson presents it.

Published 11 Nov 2026, 20:18 GMT

2 min read

Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson seated in Parliament — Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson in Parliament (file photo)

Listen to this article

Playback position

0:002:46

Playback speed

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has criticised the decision to present the 2027 Budget at 6pm on Thursday, November 12.

Mr Afenyo-Markin said the Minority found the timing strange. “We find it very strange that the Finance Minister has chosen 6:00 p.m. as the only time for him to come because he wants Ghanaians to be sleepy,” he said.

“He wants Ghanaians to be sleepy because he wants to come here at 6:00 p.m., knowing that if he's very clear on his mind, what does he have to fear? If he's so clear, why has he chosen to come here at night?” he asked.

He warned that the evening slot could drag the sitting late into the night if the two sides quarrelled over the arrangement. “Then it drags into 10:00 p.m. and all of that,” he said.

Majority Leader James Agalga rejected the claim in his reply on the floor.

“We are not intent on presenting a budget statement when the people of this country are asleep. That is not what we are intending to do,” he said.

“But how many Ghanaians go to sleep at 6:00 p.m? With the greatest of respect, how many Ghanaians?”

“Honourable Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, do you sleep at 6:00 p.m? No.”

“Ghanaians will be wide awake to listen to the presentation of the new economy,” he said.

Mr Agalga said the public was keen to hear the government's plans for jobs. “They are eager to know how government would create jobs for the teeming youth of our country.”

“So nobody would sleep. They'll be wide awake to listen to the good news that we have for the good people of this country,” he added.

He said the evening slot was fixed because of an important state function on Thursday, when new currency notes will be launched, with the Finance Minister expected to attend. The Speaker and the Minority Leader have also been invited, he said.

The budget is built around the government's four-year New Economy programme. Business groups have already tabled their demands for the statement, which will detail the government's revenue, spending and economic priorities for 2027 when Dr Forson addresses Parliament on Thursday evening.

Araba IncoomAraba Incoom writes on multiple topics with a vast knowledge across different sector. You can almost call me an AI, after all, my initials are Araba Incoom.

2027 Budget at 6pm: Minority queries evening slot, Majority defends it

Suggested for you

More Stories

My GH¢60,000 kidney treatment experience showed me why Ghana needs GMTF – Pulima Chief

Black Meteors face uphill task after 1-0 loss to Libya

Wa Naa hails GMTF as a landmark national intervention in Ghana’s healthcare history

Koo Fori, Naana visit Kwame Dzokoto&#39;s widow ahead of one-week observance

Cabinet clears plan to establish Ghana Space Agency

Chicago, the teenage rapper behind &#39;Hum Paare&#39;, and the rise of Frafra Piano

Discussion

Koo Fori, Naana visit Kwame Dzokoto's widow ahead of one-week observance

Chicago, the teenage rapper behind 'Hum Paare', and the rise of Frafra Piano