The Minority in Parliament has strongly criticised Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the Finance Minister-designate, following what they described as an evasive and inconsistent performance during his vetting.
At a press conference on Wednesday, January 15, Member of Parliament for Tano North, Dr. Gideon Boako, expressed disappointment in Dr. Forson’s responses to key national issues.
He stated, “Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, who appeared as the Finance Minister-designate, was evasive, inconsistent, and lacked clarity of thought.”
Dr. Boako, a member of the Minority, argued that Dr. Forson, as a former Deputy Minister of Finance and a ranking member of the Finance Committee, should have been better prepared and provided more concrete solutions to pressing national concerns.
One particular issue that raised alarm was Dr. Forson’s response regarding the government’s promise to cover the first-year academic fees of tertiary students.
Dr. Boako questioned how a Finance Minister-designate could state that he could not answer whether the pledge made by President Mahama to cover these fees would be honoured, citing it as a concerning lack of responsibility.
He further accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of misleading the public with unrealistic campaign promises, stating, “This is a clear message to our tertiary students that the NDC deceived them into voting for them.”
Dr. Boako called for greater accountability from Dr. Forson and the NDC government, urging them to fulfil their promises to the Ghanaian people.