The Executive Director of the Africa Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA), Dr Rahseed Draman has urged President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to listen to the concerns raised by the majority caucus in parliament, against the Finance Minister and let him resign.
Some members of the majority group in Parliament at a press conference demanded the removal of Ofori-Atta as Finance Minister and Charles Adu Boahene as Minister of State at the Finance Ministry due to the country’s current economic challenges.
However, they have agreed to a plea by the President to allow the Finance Minister to stay in office to conclude the negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Speaking on this issue on TV3 Monday, November 7, Dr. Draman said; “The president should listen to his caucus and the minister should do the honorable. The budget is going to be read, If he goes there is a problem, if he doesn’t there is a problem but the cost will be high if he doesn’t go.”
Dr. Draman further indicated that the Minority in Parliament cannot run away from blame over the cause of the economic hardships which has been placed at the doorstep of Mr. Ofori-Atta.
He said when the Minority had the opportunity to reject the Finance Minister during the vetting at the appointments committee, some of them ended up voting in support of their nomination.
“Parliament cannot avoid the share of the blame, especially the Minority.
“They failed the test of holding the government to account by going to the appointment committee to scrutinize but when it came to the vote we realized that some of them voted for them.
“Having realized they have made a mistake they are eating humble pie to say this minister must go.”
The call for Mr. Ofori-Atta’s dismissal started with 80 NPP MPs threatening to boycott government business if he is not sacked.
Subsequently, the Minority in Parliament backed the calls by the 80 NPP MPs and filed a vote of censure accordingly.
The censure motion has been admitted and tabled to the House.
But days before the vote of censure against Ken Ofori Atta, Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu disclosed that the entire NPP caucus is in support of the President’s cousin being removed from office.