Accra, Nov. 23, GNA- A nine-member Hungarian delegation led by the deputy speaker of Országgyűlés – the National Assembly of Hungary, Mr István Jakab on Tuesday visited Ghana’s Parliament to hear opposing sides debate on the 2022 Economic Policy and Budget Statement.
They listened attentively to the Cassiel Ato Forson for the minority and Kwaku Kwarteng of the Majority open the floor of debate before the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei-Owusu introduced them to the house.
The delegation included the Ambassador of Hungary to Ghana, Tamás Endre Fehér; Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Hungary, David Bekesi; Strategic Vice President of the Africa Knowledge Centre, László Bihari among others.
The visit to the Parliament, the Deputy Speaker said was part of activities outlined for a five-day working visit which is geared towards strengthening bilateral relations in the area of agriculture and collaborations between the two Parliaments.
“His visit to Ghana was inspired by a meeting with our first deputy speaker during the fifth conference of Speakers of Parliament in Vienna Austria,” he said.
During the debate, the Chairman of the Finance Committee, Mr. Kwarteng rallied the support of members of Parliament to approve the budget as the document he said contained well-intended initiatives that sought to ease the country’s debt burden by decreasing expenditure and raising more revenue.
These he highlighted include the cutback on tax exemptions for foreign investors, move away from sole sourcing, post-retirement contract cancellation among others.
Mr Forson for his part said the economy was ailing with the debt level projected to rise by 81 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by the end of the year.
He also indicated that the projections made for revenue in the budget were unclear and unattainable especially when the government would use almost all its revenue to service its debts through the payment of interest and amortisation on loans.
He, therefore, urged members to reject the budget, which was unrealistic.
GNA