With only eight sitting days remaining before the Christmas break, the Parliament decided on Friday to hold longer sittings to complete matters pertaining to the Appropriations Bill on Monday.
A proposed law that authorizes the use of public monies is called an appropriation, often known as a supply bill or spending bill.
It is a measure that allots funds for particular expenses. In several democracies, the legislature's consent is required before the government may make financial decisions. The House began sitting each day at 1000 hours and had extended sittings to ensure that the business scheduled for the week under consideration was completed, according to Deputy Majority Leader Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, who is also the Vice Chair of the Business Committee, who presented the Business Statement for the eighth week ending Friday, December 16, 2022.
The Business Committee reiterated its previous warning to all committees, "Mr. Speaker, that the House has only eight sitting days between Monday, December 12 and Wednesday, December 21st 2022 to transact business related to the Appropriations Bill."
On December 21, 2022, the House is anticipated to adjourn sine die.
"In this regard, the Business Committee asks committees that have taken custody of the estimates of the relevant sectors to expedite consideration of the same for presentation before plenary," said Mr. Afenyo-Markin.
He informed the House that resolutions pertaining to the Heads of Estimates of the different municipal and district legislatures and other bodies, budget-related Bills, the Appropriation Bill, and other matters needing the attention of the House had consequently received special consideration.
The Speaker of the House, Mr. Alban Bagbin, suggested that the House convene on Monday at 1400 hours before adopting the Business Statement.
After several lawmakers expressed worry about how Monday's session might limit their opportunities for constituent involvement, he made his proposal.
"With regard to the Monday sitting, my recommendation to the House is that sitting be done on Monday at 2 p.m. to enable members to have greater engagements with their people as they are here to represent them," the Speaker recommended.