The Voice Of The People Is The Voice Of God; Nana Aba Anamoah Backs Calls For Ofori Atta To Resign
Veteran journalist, Nana Aba Anamoah has backed calls for the Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori Atta to either step down or get sacked.
Her latest call comes after 80 majority legislators publicly renounced their support for Ken Ofori Atta on Tuesday.
In a Facebook post, Nana Aba referenced the bible quotation and asked the minister to “WALK AWAY”.
She said, “If you have a conscience and humility as the Christian you make us believe you are, you’ll acknowledge that the voice of people is the voice of God. RESIGN, KEN OFORI-ATTA.”
Eighty members of the NPP lawmakers on Tuesday morning demanded the removal of the Finance Minister and the Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Charles Adu Boahen over what they described as a downward trend in the growth of the economy.
“We have made our great concern to the President through the Parliamentary leadership and the leadership of the party without any positive response.
“We are by this medium communicating our strong desire that the President change the Minister for Finance and the Minister of State in the Finance Ministry without further delays in order to restore hope into the financial sector and reverse the downward trend in the growth of the economy”, MP for Asante Akim North Constituency, Andy Appiah Kubi, said at a presser in Parliament.
According to the MPs, until the two resign or get sacked by the President, they won’t participate in any business of the government in the House, neither will they be part of the upcoming Budget hearing and its debate.
The public renouncement comes after the National Organiser of the ruling New Patriotic Party, Henry Nana Boakye affirmed drastic changes must be made in order for the party to secure a third term.
In a Facebook post written in block letters on Sunday, Nana B said, “SOME DRASTIC DECISIONS MUST BE MADE ASAP. SOME DRASTIC CHANGES MUST BE MADE ASAP. SOME DRASTIC MEASURES NEEDED ASAP. BREAKING THE 8 IS A MUST”.
Similar calls have come from MP from the other side, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and CSO Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG) as well.
In a statement on Monday, October 24, Ablakwa said Ofori Atta must immediately be sacked to remedy the economic downturn.
AFAG, however, called for his reassignment.
But the president has on different occasions disagreed with the suggestion to either sack or reshuffle any of his cabinet Ministers.
Last week while touring the Ashanti Region, President Akufo-Addo emphasised his disagreement with the calls to have his cousin deposed.
“I came to office in 2017 under a stringent IMF programme. This same man was able to manage the affairs of our economy in such a way that in my first term, we were one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.
“An average growth rate of 7% which allowed us to initiate programmes such as Planting for Food and Jobs. So somebody who has been able to do that. The current difficulties are not his fault. So how do I do it (sack him)? What will be the basis? What will be the rationale”, he is quoted as saying by JoyNews.
During a similar tour in August, the president assured the public he wasn’t in for a reshuffle citing his cabinet ministers’ “outstanding” performance.
“That is a matter that I will take in an appropriate way. Several of the people who are responsible for assisting me in steering the country out of the difficulty we inherited and the difficulties that have subsequently come are still in place. And many of them have done outstanding work. Their output has been considerable and that is what I look at.”
Meanwhile, the Minority in parliament will file a vote of censure against the Finance Minister today.
A section of Ghanaians, however, believe the posture of the majority in this regard is staged.
“NPP leaders go tap room agree with Ken Ofori Atta to sack him as Finance minister to please Ghanaians Lmao. Child’s play”, one Twitter account user said.
Ghana is currently facing a soaring inflation rate, steep cedi depreciation and rising debt stock.
Last week, Ofori Atta called on the Ghanaian public to stay calm over the steep cedi depreciation.
“…It’s quite perplexing to see where it’s going, of course, typically in October, people are importing for Christmas and maybe there’s a rush for that (the dollar) but my expectation is that once we also conclude with the Fund (IMF), that will lead to the fund’s disbursement early next year to do that”, he said in an interview with Asaase radio.
He added, “The support we are getting from countries like Germany and France, we are confident that we will get the resources needed, so we really would want people to know not to panic or be rushing in order to put pressure on the currency, I think it’s unnecessary and we are in good shape”.
Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini
