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For the interest of NPP, sack Ken Ofori Atta – Samuel Akonga to President

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“My stance has not changed. Going forward, we must listen to the base of the party. We must listen to what the grassroot wants and at this time, what the party wants is this individual to step aside,” Samuel Akonga said in support of the calls for the Finance Minister to be summarily dismissed. 

Ninety-eight New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament have resolved to boycott the budget presentation and all Finance Ministry-related business should the President refuse to sack Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta immediately.

This new number is an increase from the previous 80 NPP MPs who had earlier demanded the removal of the Finance Minister and the Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Charles Adu-Boahen.

According to the Member of Parliament for Asante Akyem North, Andy Appiah-Kubi, who doubles as spokesperson for the group, Ofori-Atta’s position in government has become untenable, hence the fresh demand for his resignation.

His comment comes after the group had earlier relaxed its demand following a meeting with the President, Nana Akufo-Addo.

In a statement signed by Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, President Akufo-Addo had appealed for the sector minister to be allowed to stay till after the budget presentation and appropriation of same, to which the MPs had agreed.

However, with the Finance Minister now facing a vote of censure from the Minority side of Parliament, the NPP MPs are convinced it is time for him to leave.

Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express, Appiah-Kubi said, “We’ve gone back to (our demand for the President to) sack him now and therefore should the budget be presented under the stamp of the Finance Minister, we’ll not participate because as far as we’re concerned we’re never going to do business with him.

“And if we’re not going to do business with him, he does not participate in any process from the Presidency to the House. We will not participate in deliberations too.”

He noted that the only way the President will get them to participate in the budget presentation and appropriation is if someone else from government is appointed to present the budget.

Speaking to the same issues on A1 Radio’s Day Break Upper East Show, Mr. Akonga explained that the current situation affects the image of the party. 

“I don’t think that he is the only person in the party who is available to assume the position. There are a litany of people in the party who can do that. The belligerent position doesn’t augur well for the image of the party. We shouldn’t just look at the fact that we are in power. we should look at what we can do to sustain power, what we can do to break the eight. Don’t forget that if this individual is taken out, investor confidence would be brought back. There are people who do not think that Ken at this time can turn the economy around,” he said. 

Should the President fail to act, it means the proceedings in Parliament would play in the favour of the opposition NDC. 

“From the news, these people are saying they won’t take part in the proceedings. These are the people that would support you. If they won’t take part, then we are giving a freeway to the NDC. That is what they want. That position that Ken must stay, you are playing the position into the hands of our opponents.”

It would be recalled that speaking on A1 Radio’s Day Break Upper East Show, Tuesday, November 1, 2022, Mr. Akonga said both individuals [Finance Minister, Governor of Bank of Ghana] have failed in their respective roles. Should Ghana find its way out of the current economic doldrums, the duo cannot play any meaningful roles

“On that score, I believe, yes, there is the need for us to up our game. Almost all the time, there is the need to brief the business community about what is going on; what steps are being put in place to manage the cedi.”

“I think that on the issue of the dollar, I sincerely believe that the Governor of the Bank of Ghana must go. When the issue about this Finance Minister came, I was part of those who agreed for the Finance Minister to go. Thereafter, I believe that if the Finance Minister is to go, it mustn’t be he alone. The Bank of Ghana Governor should also go.”

Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1MHz|Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith|Ghana

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