As parliamentary proceedings resumed on Thursday, November 30, 2023, for another attempt to conclude the vote on approving the 2024 Budget Statement and Economic Policy, only four legislators from the Majority side were present in the House.

Among them were key figures in the majority leadership, including Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensa-Bonsu, Deputy Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo Markin, Majority Chief Whip Frank Annoh Dompreh, and Deputy Chief Whip Habib Iddrisu.

The majority of New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament were absent today after their side staged a walkout on Wednesday as the House voted on the 2024 economic and budget statement presented by Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.

The Minority on the other hand, had a substantial number of representatives.

The House was scheduled to approve or reject the budget statement yesterday. Speaker Alban Bagbin held a voice vote, which caused tension between the two sides in the House.

Per the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu's remarks on the floor of Parliament, the "Yes" had it on the approval of the budget.

"You are saying that you said you think the" yes" have it and left it at that. Which you normally do. But you went further to indicate firmly that the "yes" have it. "

But the Speaker noted that he expressed his opinion about the "yes" likely having it.

"Honourable members, I did not proceed to say the 'yes' have it," the Speaker said.

The Deputy Minority Leader then challenged the Speaker’s opinion and called for a headcount. The Speaker then called for a headcount vote.

Following the Speaker's comment, there was disarray in Parliament after a Minority MP called for the removal of John Kumah, Ken Agyapong, and two others, as they were not present at the time the motion for a headcount vote was posed.

The Majority MPs continued to express dissatisfaction, and an agitated Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, announced the withdrawal of the Majority MPs from the chamber.

"We are leaving the chamber for them. Now, do the head count and see if you have the numbers to overturn Mr. Speaker's ruling," he said before the NPP MPs left the chamber.

Due to the lack of consensus on the matter, Speaker Alban Bagbin has indicated that the approval or otherwise of the 2024 economic and budget statement will be determined next week.