Amidst the controversy surrounding the approval of the 2024 budget by Parliament, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has expressed confidence that the budget statement was duly passed by the House on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, after the Majority staged a walkout.

In a dramatic turn of events during the budget approval process, Majority Members of Parliament walked out following a dispute over the Speaker's declaration of a voice vote in favour of the budget. 

Speaker Alban Bagbin's ruling led Minority MPs to call for a head count, causing frustration among the Majority, who subsequently left the chamber.

Ken Ofori-Atta, who presented the budget on November 15, 2023, asserted that the budget had been passed based on the Speaker's declaration.

He stated, "At the end of the day, the Speaker put it to vote twice, and he declared that the ‘ayes’ have it. That means the budget, in my view, has been passed."

However, Minority Leader Dr Cassiel Ato Forson contested this, stating that the budget had not been approved in its current form, highlighting the opposition's refusal to support it.

In an interview aired on the 6:00 am news on Accra 100.5FM on Thursday, November 30, 2023, Mr Ofori-Atta expressed his delight that the budget had been approved, allowing him to access the consolidated fund and commence spending. 

He mentioned that both Minority and Majority Leaders made their concluding statements on the budget, and a vote was put forward by the Speaker, with the 'ayes' having it, indicating the budget's approval. 

Mr Ofori-Atta expressed satisfaction that Ghanaians now have a budget.