By: Aminata Sesay
The Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Segepoh Solomon Thomas Esq., has delivered a firm warning to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that failed to attend the ongoing 2026 National Budget deliberations, stressing that institutional discipline is essential for credible budgeting.
Addressing the House on Thursday, 4 December 2025, Speaker Thomas underscored that parliamentary scrutiny of the national budget is a serious constitutional exercise that institutions cannot afford to neglect, especially those whose programmes depend on the approval of allocated funds.
He reminded the Clerk of Parliament of his earlier directive requiring the attendance of senior officials from all MDAs throughout the debate. He said their presence is not ceremonial but crucial for understanding how MPs examine, justify, and question the financial requests submitted by each institution.
While commending the MDAs that complied on the first day of deliberations, Speaker Thomas criticized the growing number of absentees. He described their failure to attend as a clear breach of parliamentary instructions and a disregard for transparency, accountability, and inter-institutional cooperation.
The Speaker further announced that the Clerk has been instructed to compile the names of defaulting MDAs a list that will guide the punitive measures Parliament may impose when the budget reaches the appropriation stage. He hinted that sanctions could include withholding funds from agencies deemed to be in contempt of Parliament.
As MPs continue to scrutinize budget allocations for critical sectors such as infrastructure, health, education, and social protection, analysts observe that the Speaker’s decisive stance aims to reinforce parliamentary authority and ensure MDAs remain actively engaged throughout the budget cycle.
With the national debate expected to conclude later this week, Speaker Thomas’s call for stricter enforcement may set a new standard for collaboration and accountability between Parliament and the executive branch during future national budget processes.