Let Ofori-Atta go; IMF talks, 2023 budget can proceed without him – Mahama

Former President John Dramani Mahama is not backing down on calls for the dismissal of Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.

He is also not accepting pleas from President Nana Akufo-Addo for Ofori-Atta to latch onto his position until the passage of the 2023 budget and the completion of Ghana’s negotiations with the International Monetary Fund.

Speaking at a forum dubbed “Building the Ghana We Want” in Accra on Thursday, Mr. Mahama said President Akufo-Addo must let Ofori-Atta go.

“I’ve noted the draft motion of censure by the Minority against the Minister of Finance and the recent rebellion of G95 group (95 Majority Members of Parliament) calling for the removal of the minister. I’ve also noted the statement of the Majority Leader of a so-called compromise reached that the minister will leave after he has completed the budget and the IMF negotiations.”

“I think this is untenable. Budget preparation and IMF negotiations are the results of teamwork. They are not the work of one individual. I fail to see how the absence of the minister will affect the preparation of the budget and the negotiation with the International Monetary Fund. There surely must be persons with the requisite experience in the NPP to carry on this work. After all, what happened to the mantra we have the men??”

Following Ghana’s current economic predicaments, John Mahama further asked President Akufo-Addo to take hold of the Economic Management Team to help boost confidence in the economy.

“The president must not only replace his Finance Minister; he must also reconstitute and take control of the Economic Management Team himself”.