Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs will present the 2021 Government Budget statement to Parliament on 12March.
Information Minister Kojo Oppong revealed this at a media briefing on Sunday after a cabinet retreat at the Peduase Lodge
Traditionally, it is the Minister for Finance who does the presentation of the annual budget statement on behalf of the ruling government.
However, Ken Ofori-Atta, who is the Minister-for-Finance-designate, is yet to be vetted by Parliament’s Appointment Committee because, he is currently in Minnesota, USA, undergoing treatment for post COVID-19 complications.
The Minister-designate for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta left Ghana for the United States on Sunday 14th of February 2021. The Ministry of Finance in a press statement explained that Mr. Ofori-Atta, was traveling to the United States of America for treatment following complications after recovering from COVID-19.
Mr. Ofori-Atta is said to have recovered from the novel Coronavirus, COVID-19 last December and has since had some medical complications.
“After recovering from COVID-19 last December, Mr. Ofori-Atta has had medical complications which doctors advise, require further interventions not currently available in Ghana,” the statement from the Ministry said.
The Finance Minister designate was expected to be vetted by the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Monday the 8th of March 2021. In light of his unavailability in the country, the date for his vetting will certainly have to be rescheduled.