Majority Caucus Accedes To President’s Appeal Over Ofori Atta

The Majority caucus in Parliament has succumbed to President Akufo-Addo’s appeal to keep Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta at post temporarily.

This was communicated in a press statement signed by the Majority leader in Parliament, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu.

According to the statement, the President will act on the demand of the disgruntled MPs after the Finance Minister concludes negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bailout, presents the 2022 budget and passage the Appropriation Bill.

Per the statement, the decision to accede to the appeal of the President was taken during a deliberation among the caucus on October 26, 2022.

On Tuesday, 80 members on the NPP side in Parliament openly renounced their support for the Minister as well as the Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Charles Adu Boahen, over what they described as the downward trend in economic growth.

According to them, the President had failed to act on their demand after several petitions and, therefore, threatened to boycott the upcoming budget reading and its debate if the two failed to resign or get sacked.

Following this, the President met with the disgruntled MPs and reportedly pleaded for his cousin to remain at the post for the next 3 weeks to conclude the IMF deal.

But reports indicated that the MPs were not moved by the plea of the President.

On Wednesday, MP for Subin constituency, Eugene Boakye, said his team was determined to kick the Finance Minister out and stressed that the country is running a democracy and not a “Family dynasty”.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) also reacted to the development saying it was engaging the government.

Meanwhile, the Minority side in Parliament has filed a motion to censure the Minister and has challenged the 80 disgruntled MPs to join in impeaching Ofori Atta.

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini