The chairman of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) Stephen Ntim has called on all stakeholders to remain calm, as the party seeks an amicable resolution to the impasse of whether or not Ken Ofori-Atta should be removed as Finance Minister.
Some members of the Majority Caucus in Parliament are mounting pressure on President Nana Akufo-Addo to sack Ofori-Atta, and the minister of state at the Finance Ministry, Charles Adu Boahen, to restore public confidence in the Ghanaian economy.
According to the group of MPs of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), they will not participate in any further government business that involves the Ministry of Finance or have any dealings with the Finance Minister or the minister of state for finance until both men leave the government.
However, in a statement, the NPP leadership said:
“The National Executive body of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has taken notice of a press conference held on Tuesday 25 October 2022, by some members of the Majority Caucus of Parliament, demanding amongst others, the immediate resignation or dismissal of Ken Ofori-Atta, Minster for Finance; and Charles Adu Boahen, Minister of State at the Finance Ministry respectively.
“In view of the above development, the leadership of the party is currently engaging Government as well as tie Parliamentary Group, and urges all stakeholders to remain calm as it seeks an amicable resolution to the impasse.
“The leadership of the Party, herein, reiterates its commitment to at all times, engage Government on issues of utmost interest and concern to the Party, Government, and the citizenry.
“May God bless our homeland Ghana and make the New Patriotic Party great and strong.”
Demands of the MPs
Addressing the media in Parliament on Tuesday (25 October 2022), the spokesman for the caucus and MP for Asante Akim North, Andy Appiah-Kubi, said the move will help save the economy from further collapse.
“We have had occasion to defend allegations of conflict of interest, lack of confidence and trust against leadership of our Finance Ministry. The recent developments within our economy are of great concern to the greater majority of members of our caucus and our constituents,” Appiah-Kubi said.
“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 delay in order to restore hope into the financial sector and reverse the downward trend in the growth of our economy.
“The summary of our concern leads to the plea that the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, and the minister of state at the Ministry of Finance, Charles Adu Boahen, should be removed from office.
“Meanwhile, we want to serve notice that until such persons as aforementioned are made to resign or removed from office, we members of the Majority Caucus here in Parliament will not participate in any business of government by or for the president or by any other minister. If our request is not responded to positively, we’ll not be present for the Budget hearing, neither would we participate in the debate,” Appiah-Kubi told the media.
The International Monetary Fund has launched talks with Ghana over a US$3 billion deal for budgetary support, aimed at reviving the economy and restoring investor confidence.
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