Members of Parliament (MPs) expressed significant dissatisfaction with the GH₵1.6 billion budget estimates allocated to Parliament and the Parliamentary Service of Ghana for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026.
The initial proposal of GH₵4.6 billion was reduced to only 35 percent of the original amount, prompting concerns among legislators regarding Parliament’s ability to function effectively under the revised funding.
During the debate on Thursday, December 12, 2025, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Member of Parliament for Ofoase Ayirebi, emphasized the necessity of prioritizing the limited funds to meet the urgent requirements of the Legislature.
He pointed out the malfunctioning air conditioning units in MPs’ offices and the broken elevators, characterizing the condition of the parliamentary building (Job 600) as becoming “useless.”
Additionally, he proposed that the national tax be established to ensure a fixed percentage of revenue is allocated to Parliament to promote efficiency.
Haruna Iddrisu, the Member of Parliament for Tamale South, also expressed his dissatisfaction with the budget allocation, noting it is concerning that while Parliament approves budgets for ministries and oversees ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), its own funding remains insufficient.
He further advocated for the creation of a Budget Responsibility Office to ensure the responsible use of parliamentary funds.
Lawmakers from both the Majority and Minority Caucuses expressed their disappointment with the budget allocation, emphasizing that both the Finance Minister and his deputy, as members of the House, should have prioritized Parliament’s needs.
They urged the government to consider establishing a medical center and a dining facility within the Parliament premises to address the future health and welfare needs of its members.
Nevertheless, Mr. Thomas Nyarko Ampem, the Deputy Minister of Finance, addressing the concerns raised by the Members of Parliament, stated that all budget allocations for the different sectors were determined by the funds available and were not an intentional effort to withhold resources from Parliament.
He noted that the capital expenditure allocated to Parliament had risen from GH₵80 million in 2025 to GH₵300 million in the 2026 Budget.
Following the conclusion of the debate, Parliament sanctioned GH₵1.6 billion for the Legislature.
