Minority Leader accuses Ato Forson of scheduling Budget statement when Ghanaians may be sleepy

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has questioned the decision to schedule the presentation of the 2027 Budget for 6:00 p.m., suggesting that the timing could leave Ghanaians too tired to follow the Finance Minister’s address.

The Finance Minister is scheduled to present the 2027 Budget to Parliament on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.

Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin announced on Tuesday that he had granted Dr Forson's request for an evening presentation, saying there were “good reasons” for the arrangement.

Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, Mr Afenyo-Markin said the Minority found it unusual that Dr Cassiel Ato Forson had opted to present the budget in the evening.

He suggested that the timing could affect public attention during the presentation.

“We find it very strange that the Finance Minister has chosen 6:00 p.m. as the only time for him to come because he wants Ghanaians to be sleepy,” he said.

“He wants Ghanaians to be sleepy because he wants to come here at 6:00 p.m., knowing that if he's very clear on his mind, what does he have to fear? If he's so clear, why has he chosen to come here at night?” he asked.

Mr Afenyo-Markin also expressed concern that the evening presentation could keep Parliament sitting late into the night, particularly if disagreements arise during proceedings.

He said the Minority did not want to begin an argument over the timing of the presentation when the Finance Minister appears before the House on Thursday.

“We know he's coming here at 6:00 p.m. tomorrow and he's going to drag the House late into the night. We don't want to start that argument tomorrow evening when he comes here, then we are doing back and forth on the matter. Then it drags into 10:00 p.m. and all of that,” he said.

The presentation will outline the government's fiscal and economic policy priorities for 2027.