Ofori-Atta’s approval torture on Ghana’s economic system – ASEPA

The Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA) has described the approval of the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta as an unfortunate situation which would lead to Ghana’s financial issues breaking down.

The group had earlier in a 37-page petition to the Appointments Committee of Parliament, indicated that based on Mr Ofori-Atta’s role in the collapse of some financial institutions, among others, it believed he was no longer fit to hold the position.

In an interview with Citi Business News, Executive Director of ASEPA, Ken Thompson, indicated that the move by Parliament to approve Ken Ofori Attah he believes was not in the best interest of the country.

“We just leant that the guy (Ken Ofori-Atta) has been approved especially when a number of issues raised against him featured in the committee; the responses he gave were totally dissatisfactory. To think that he can give shallow and unsatisfactory answers to the questions and still get away with it is extremely troubling and disappointing to the electorate and the citizens especially to those who have had any hope in the idea of the power of Parliament and the potential it brings to our democracy and that they could serve as proper checks and balance mechanisms to the Executive.”

He added that “I think people are gradually losing hope in it. It was extremely shocking to learn during the nominees vetting that the nominee had usurped the powers of the President and has unilaterally appointed an MD to the Trade Fair management. Again, without parliamentary approval and usurping the powers, he was already restructuring Eurobond on behalf of the country as a nominee without approval. If people can do these things and usurp the powers of Parliament, appears before Parliament and still get away with it without any member of the committee voting against this nominee then you have a huge problem.  This whole idea of hung of Parliament potential is dead on arrival.”

Parliament approved the nomination of Mr Ken Ofori-Atta by unanimous recommendation by the Appointments Committee of Parliament.

The committee on Monday presented its report where members had by consensus, approved Mr Ofori-Atta for appointment as the Minister of Finance.

The committee had recommended to the House to approve Mr Ofori-Atta’s appointment.

The report was presented by the Majority Chief Whip, Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh, on behalf of the Chairman of the committee, Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu.

Parliament, as a whole, endorsed the report and approved the nomination by a voice vote. Mr Ofori-Atta now awaits his swearing in by the President.

Mr Ofori-Attah became the last of the President’s 46 appointees, comprising 30 ministers of state and 16 regional ministers designate, whose names were submitted to the committee for consideration and recommendation to the House.

Though scheduled for consideration among the nominees considered for the first batch, the nomination of Mr Ofori-Atta could not be considered because the nominee had to seek further medical attention in the United States of America.

Permission to that effect was accordingly sought and same was granted.

The committee met on March 26, 2021 and considered the nomination of Mr Ofori-Atta.