Nobody Can Come And Say They Don’t Understand What We Are Doing; Ofori Atta Tells Critics
The Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori Atta has thrown a subtle jab at critics who are calling for his dismissal over the “mismanaged economy” of Ghana.
Addressing a delegation from the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) on November 3, the Minister said he has gone through “all the pains and aches” in leading the country and therefore “nobody can really come and say they don’t understand what we are doing”.
Many have described the Minister as “incompetent” over the “mismanagement” of the economy.
A section of Ghanaians has therefore called for his resignation or dismissal.
Last week, his fellow party members in Parliament joined the call pointing to the “downturn in economic growth”.
But the Minister on Thursday assured Ghanaians he has done and is doing everything that needs to be done.
“..You have a Finance Minister who has gone through all the pains and aches and Nobody can really come and say they don’t understand what we are doing.”
He indicated that the focus of Ghanaians must be shifted from calls for his resignation to the equitable disbursement of the country’s scarce resources.
“The question is what resources do we have and how are we going to deploy them in the nation that we have and how do we stand firm in very difficult circumstances by being confident that the nation is purposed for greatness.”
From his speech, it can be deduced that unless Parliament succeeds at impeaching him, Ofori Atta will not resign.
On Tuesday, October 25, about 80 New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament demanded the dismissal or resignation of the Finance Minister as well as the Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Charles Adu Boahen over what they described as a downturn in economic growth.
The disgruntled MPs threatened to boycott the government’s businesses and the budget reading if their demand was not acted upon by the President.
But following a meeting with the President on Tuesday evening, the MPs reportedly acceded to Akufo-Addo’s plea to keep the Minister at the post till he completed the negotiations he started with the International Monetary Fund (IMF); read the budget; and passed the Appropriation Bill.
On the other hand, the Minority in Parliament has filed a motion to impeach the Minister citing a conflict of interest in the conduct of his mandate; unconstitutional withdrawals from the Consolidated Fund; illegal payment of oil revenue into offshore accounts; deliberate and dishonest misreporting of economic data to Parliament; fiscal recklessness; and incompetence for the motion.
A secret vote is expected to be cast by Parliament over him on November 10.
Meanwhile calls for Ofori Atta to get sacked continue to intensify as traders vent out at the rising cost of living in the country.
In an interview with JoyNews, some traders at Suame magazine added their voices to the call pointing out the rising cost of fuel and transportation which is having a toll on the standard of living.
“He {Ken Ofori Atta} must be sacked. We are plunged into poverty. Over here sales have declined. The prices of goods have skyrocketed. We thought the country was going to get better when the NPP came to power. Compared to them, the NDC was better”, a woman said.
“His brother has held the position for six years now. He {Akufo-Addo} should sack him {Ken Ofori Atta} because he is not doing well. The country doesn’t belong to their family,” a man told JoyNew.
“In case we assign you to supervise our finance and we later realise you are not performing well and you are unable to account to us we have to sack you. Everyone is complaining about the economic hardship. Before coming into power, they assured us that the country is endowed with resources but they are the worst managers,” another said.
Another added, “the Minister has done his best. It’s time for him to go. We need fresh ideas.”
Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini
