Parliament  by majority decision has granted loans approval for the amount of US$750 million for the government of Ghana despite the opposition from the minority.

The loans includes US$150 million to finance the West African Food Resilience programme,  US$60 million to finance Ghana COVID-19 emergency preparedness response project, US$30 million for medical equipment provision project in response to COVID-19, and €170 million euros to support  Development Bank of Ghana.

Mr. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Majority Leader, and Leader of Government Business, urged members of the House to approve the various loan agreements to enable the Government to prosecute its agenda for the nation’s socioeconomic development.

However, speaking at a press conference after the approval of the loans, the minority leader and MP for Ajumako Enyan Essiam Cassiel Ato Baah, stated that the minority objected all these loans because the country is already in debt distress. According to him, it is wrong for the government to still consider to have the courage to add up onto the public debt. He therefore called on civil society organizations to hold government accountable.

The deputy finance minister and MP for Ejisu, Lawyer John Kumah in respect to the approval of  the loans by the house clarified that the loans are not new loans but they were already in their books which only needed Parliament approval.

John Kumah added that Parliament has given approval to reallocate US$98 million from the already approved loan of  $750 by the Afrexibank to construct the Suame Interchange.