Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has raised concerns over the decision to schedule the presentation of Ghana’s 2027 Budget Statement for 6:00 p.m., arguing that the evening arrangement could leave members of the public too exhausted to adequately follow the Finance Minister’s address.
Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson is expected to present the 2027 Budget Statement and Economic Policy to Parliament on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., following approval of his request for an evening sitting by Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin.
Announcing the arrangement on Tuesday, November 10, the Speaker indicated that the Finance Minister had provided compelling reasons for preferring an evening presentation, although he did not publicly disclose the specific considerations behind the request.
However, addressing Parliament on Wednesday, November 11, Mr Afenyo-Markin said the Minority considered the decision unusual, questioning why Dr Forson had chosen to deliver the government’s annual financial statement at a time when public attention could potentially diminish.
He suggested that the scheduling could make it difficult for Ghanaians to remain sufficiently alert throughout the presentation, particularly given the importance of the financial and economic policies expected to be communicated by the government.
“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 remarked.
He further questioned the rationale behind the decision, suggesting that there should be no reason to schedule the presentation in the evening if the Finance Minister was sufficiently confident about the contents of the proposed budget.
“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 queried.
Mr Afenyo-Markin also warned that the evening arrangement could result in parliamentary proceedings extending well into the night, particularly if disagreements emerge between the Majority and Minority caucuses during the budget presentation.
According to him, the Minority would prefer to avoid an unnecessary confrontation over the scheduled time when the Finance Minister appears before the House, warning that prolonged exchanges could push proceedings towards 10:00 p.m. or beyond.
“We know he’s coming here at 6:00 p.m. tomorrow and he’s going to drag the House late into the night. We don’t want to start that argument tomorrow evening when he comes here, then we are doing back and forth on the matter. Then it drags into 10:00 p.m. and all of that,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Majority Leader James Agalga has defended the evening arrangement, rejecting suggestions that Ghanaians would be too tired to follow the presentation. He maintained that the public would remain interested in the government’s economic proposals, particularly its plans to create employment opportunities for young people.
The 2027 Budget presentation is expected to outline the government’s revenue mobilisation strategy, expenditure commitments, fiscal direction and broader economic development priorities for the coming financial year.
