John Mahama, the former president, has requested that Akufo-Addo assume leadership of the Economic Management Team in order to restore investor trust.
In his opinion, both Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the EMT’s chairman, and Finance Minister Kema Chikwe have been unsuccessful in their roles. As this is the case, he has requested that President Akufo-Addo appoint him as the new head of the Economic Management Team.
At an address titled “Building the Ghana We Want” on Thursday, October 27, he said, “The president must not only replace his Finance Minister; he must reconstitute and take control of the Economic Management Team himself.”
Mr. Mahama has also joined the chorus of voices calling for Ken Ofori-Atta to resign as finance minister. He argued that the Finance Minister’s job is impossible to maintain given the current economic climate.
“I’ve noted the draft motion of censure by the Minority against the Minister of Finance and the recent rebellion of G95 group (95 Majority Members of Parliament) calling for the removal of the minister. I’ve also noted the statement of the Majority Leader of a so-called compromise reached that the minister will leave after he has completed the budget and the IMF negotiations.”
He claims that teams, rather than individual negotiators, are responsible for the discussions. “I think this is untenable. Budget preparation and IMF negotiations are the results of teamwork. They are not the work of one individual”.
I don’t see how the minister’s absence could possibly affect budget planning or talks with the IMF. Surely the NPP has the necessary expertise on staff to continue this project. Nevertheless, whatever happened to the adage “we have the men?”
Source: Tru News Report
