Workshop For Finance Committee Of Parliament

The three-day workshop for Members of Finance Committee of Parliament ended at Akosombo on 16 November. The workshop, which had the theme: "National Development Goals, Budget Priorities and Processes," was jointly sponsored by the Institute for Economic Affairs, the Parliamentary Centre of Canada, the Economic Development Institute of the World Bank and CIDA. In a resolution, the Finance Committee decided among other things, to establish a direct relationship between the National Development Planning Commission, to institute a lobbying process with the Ministry of Finance, the Bank of Ghana, the Private Sector and other development partners. It also decided to monitor the economic performance of the country on a quarterly basis and to involve the committee in the preparation of next year's financial budget of the government. The participants noted that even though the executive has the right to determine the outcome of national economic priorities parliament must have the much needed inputs to guide the setting of policy direction during the issuance of the budget guidelines of the Ministry of Finance. The Committee will further ensure that the goals set out at the national economic forum are reflected in the government's annual budget. In his closing remarks, the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr.. Kenneth Dzirasah, noted that the overall objective of the workshop which is to raise pertinent issues that relate to the smooth functioning of the Finance Committee has been accomplished. He called for greater collaboration between the Finance Committee and the Public Accounts Committee in the area of information sharing so that the objectives of the National Economic Forum are accomplished to enable Ghana to achieve its targets in the Vision 2020 document. Mr.. Dzirasah expressed his gratitude to the sponsors in the area of capacity-building to enhance the efficiency of Members. The Chairman of the Finance Committee, Commodore Steve Obimpeh, who chaired the function, said the committee is to draw up an action plan for effective performance and to help in close monitoring and the attainment of goals.

End.