Parliament has approved the 2021 budget by a majority vote of 137 to 134.
The approval followed the rejection of a voice vote by Deputy Minority Leader, James Klutse Avedzi after first Deputy Speaker Joseph Osei-Owusu who was presiding nearly ruled in favor of the majority.
Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin who was absent when sitting commenced, later turned up in the course of the exercise and took over.
This enabled his deputy Joseph Osei-Owusu to vote.
After the laborious exercise, the absence of three minority MPs gave the side 134 votes as against 137 to the majority.
Second Deputy Speaker and Fomena MP, Andrews Asiamah did not vote because he came in late.
Speaking to journalists after proceedings, majority MPs Michael Okyere Baafi of New Juaben South and Alexander Akwasi Acquah of Akim Oda faulted the NDC MPs for protracted debate of the budget, and defended the levies in the budget.
Ranking member for the Finance Committee and minority spokesperson on finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson expressed his excitement about the way things went before the approval.
According to him, his side got the Majority Leader and caretaker Finance Minister Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu to admit there are discrepancies in the figures in the 2021 budget.
The Suame MP assured the necessary corrections will be effected.