The Member of Parliament (MP) for the Nhyieaso Constituency of the Ashanti Region, Honorable Dr. Richard Anane, has delivered a seminar to students of the CSUC School of Business. The seminar, which was themed ‘the Impact of Legislative Function and Budgetary Control in the Development of Ghana’s Economy’ was organised by the Department of Management and General Studies of the CSUC School of Business in collaboration with the Business Students’ Association of CSUC.
Dr. Richard Anane spoke on the influence of the legislative Instrument in framing policies that affect the citizenry. He explained the Appropriation Act and added that
“at the committee level, we debate the allocations of funds, and how the expenditure will be executed against the backdrop of the previous year’s budget – to either approve, disapprove or expose flaws in it”.
He stressed that the oversight function of the Legislature involves Parliament looks at the operations of various sectors of the economy and monitors how funds are disbursed for various projects. The MP explained that the Auditor General makes an audit of funds allocated and the requisite expenditure and then the Public Accounts Committee sees to the proper accounting of disbursed monies at the micro-level.
Dr. Anane also sought to correct the erroneous impression held by some section of the public that members of parliament were responsible for the infrastructural development of their constituencies. He explained that the Legislature engages in representative and deliberative functions on behalf of their constituents at the floor of parliament. However, the MPs Common Fund – a relatively new addition – is a pool of resources that helps MPs undertake development in their constituencies.
The head of the Department of Management and General Studies, Mrs. Evelyn Owusu-Frempong explained that the seminar was organised to expose students to what actually goes into the practice of public administration and the disbursement of budgetary allocations.
Mr. Isaac Ampong, lecturer for the course Public Administration and facilitator for the programme, added that the seminar has given a practical dimension to the course in that it has enlightened students on what goes into the administration of budgetary allocations by the legislature.
Henry Oppong Nyame, a level 300 Accounting student had this to say after the programme,
“Dr. Anane has opened my eyes to the actual proceedings that go on in Parliament, even the progressive attitude of some of its members when it comes to discussing and approving of pertinent matters of national interest.”
