Deputy Speaker Conteh Threatens to Withhold Budget Approvals of MDAs for Non-Attendance to Debates

Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, has warned that Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) that fail to attend the ongoing parliamentary debate on the Appropriation Act for 2026 will not have their budgets approved.

His statement follows growing concerns about the absence of several MDAs from important committee proceedings, particularly the Finance Committee.

In a sharp address during the debate, Deputy Speaker Conteh emphasized the critical role of MDAs in the budget approval process, noting that Parliament can only approve the national budget when MDAs present their estimates. He said, “Parliament approves the budget together with the estimates. The estimates provide a clear indication of the policy direction of each MDA.”

The warning comes after repeated reports that certain MDAs have been absent from parliamentary proceedings, a situation that has sparked frustration among lawmakers.

Hon. Mathew Nyuma, Leader of Government Business, also voiced his displeasure, stating that many MDAs have “deliberately refused to attend Parliamentary proceedings,” despite numerous attempts to engage them. He pointed out that MDAs continue to offer excuses, further delaying the debate on the Appropriation Act.

In response, Hon. Nyuma proposed that serious actions be taken against the defaulters, including withholding the approval of their budgets, as a way to ensure accountability and transparency in government spending.

The stand taken by the Deputy Speaker and the Leader of Government Business notable reflects the seriousness of the budget approval process. Parliament’s insistence on the attendance of MDAs during the debate highlights the need for government agencies to present their budget estimates and justify their policy priorities before the country’s elected representatives.

As the debate continues, the absence of key MDAs raises questions about the efficiency and coordination between government agencies and Parliament. Parliamentarians have stressed that such absences hinder the democratic process and limit public scrutiny of government spending.