The Member of Parliament for Trobu, Gloria Owusu, has responded to criticism from journalist Kwesi Pratt Jnr, insisting that her remarks on the 2026 Budget were grounded in basic parliamentary procedure and were misrepresented in a circulating video clip.
Pratt, in a video shared on X on November 16, 2025, questioned “how the MP got into Parliament,” describing her comments after the budget presentation as “embarrassing” and suggesting she did not understand that the budget had not yet been approved.
Responding in a statement, the MP said her position had been distorted by those sharing a short snippet of her interview. She maintained that her point was a factual clarification on the continued existence of the COVID-19 levy despite ministerial assurances.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Finance Minister has promised to abolish the COVID-19 levy twice this year,” she said, adding that her remarks were strictly about the levy’s continuing application.
She stressed that parliamentary announcements are not automatically enforceable. “This was to emphasise to the general public that announcements in Parliament do not take effect immediately. This is basic parliamentary procedure, and I have never contradicted it.”
Owusu underscored that the levy remains in effect until Parliament approves any repeal. “My comment simply clarified a factual poin, no matter what is proposed in the 2026 Budget, the COVID-19 levy remains active until Parliament passes the necessary amendment or repeal. Announcing an intention in a budget is not the same as the levy being abolished today.”
She concluded her response with; “God bless our homeland Ghana and make it great and strong.”
