Members of Parliament (MPs) on the Majority side pushing for the immediate removal of Ken Ofori-Atta as Finance Minister have softened their stance after meeting President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on the matter.
They have kowtowed to the President’s pleas to have the Minister stay in office to seal Ghana’s bailout deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The MPs largely belonging to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) wanted Ken Ofori-Atta and Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Charles Adu Boahen dismissed over their poor handling of the economy which is in dire straits.
But the President fears terminating the appointment of Mr. Ofori-Atta will disrupt the IMF programme and asked the MPs who have threatened to boycott government’s business and the presentation of the 2023 budget to exercise patience.
Nana Akufo-Addo met with the aggrieved MPs at the Jubilee House where he appealed for calm.
In a statement, however, the Majority caucus said “it has agreed to accede to the President’s appeal”.
This means that the issue has been put on hold until the conclusion of the round of negotiations with the IMF and the presentation of the Budget Statement and Economic Policy in November 2022 and the subsequent passage of the Appropriation Bill, after which time the demand shall be acted upon.
Several Ghanaians had mounted pressure on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to remove Mr. Ofori-Atta from office in light of the country’s current economic predicament, which has compelled government to seek support from the IMF.
The NPP MPs had said several efforts to have government address the plights of their constituents with regard to the ailing economy had proven futile and voiced their disquiet while demanding the head of the two Ministers.
They are convinced that, sacking Ofori-Atta and Adu Boahen will help restore confidence in Ghana’s economy.
Meanwhile, the Minority in Parliament has also filed a motion for a vote of censure against Ofori-Atta.
