President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has mounted a strong defense for his Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta following calls for his dismissal.
Mr Akufo-Addo indicated that when the New Patriotic Party (NPP) came into office in 2017, he was able to ensure an average growth of 7 per cent.
Speaking on Kumasi-based OTEC FM as part of his tour of the Ashanti Region,Mr Akufo-Addo said “I came to office in 2017 when we were under an IMF programme. This same Ken Ofori-Atta was able to manage the economy for the first 3 to 4 years. We were then one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. We had an average growth rate of 7% a year.
“For someone who has been able to do all these, how do I turn my back on him? For me, his performance has been excellent. That is why I have great difficulty in understanding what is going on.”
There have been calls made to Mr Akufo-Addo to sack Mr Ofori-Atta.
For instance, Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said just as Kwasi Kwarteng has been dismissed by the Prime Minister Mary Elizabeth Truss as the UK Finance Minister, Mr Ofori-Atta should also go.
Mr Kwarteng was sacked on Friday, October 14 amidst the government’s tax cuts believed to have sparked financial market turmoil.
In a letter reacting to his dismissal, he said “You have asked me to step aside as your Chancellor, I have accepted.
“When you asked me to serve as your Chancellor, I did so in full knowledge that the situation we faced was incredibly difficult, with rising global interest rates and energy prices. However, your vision of optimism, growth and change was right.
“We have been colleagues and friends for many years. In that time I have seen your dedication and determination. I believe your vision is the right one. It has been an honour to serve as your first Chancellor.”
Commenting on this in a tweet, Mr Ablakwa said “Kwasi Kwarteng hasn’t done a fraction of the damage Ken Ofori-Atta has caused the Ghanaian economy but he gets to be sacked and Ken is showered with praises from his family member, President Akufo-Addo as Ghanaians languish in more pain. Sad — no justice in the world.”
