Prominent Ghanaian economist Kwame Pianim has said it was disappointing that President Akufo-Addo had appointed former Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Ata as Senior Presidential Advisor and Special Envoy for International Trade.
Mr. Ofori-Atta was removed from his post as Minister of Finance on Wednesday, February 14, and replaced by Mr. Mohammed Amin Adamu.
Later, Chief of Staff Akosua Frema Osei-Opare announced the former finance minister’s new role in a statement dated February 15.
However, Pianim, a leading member of the NPP, slammed the appointment on the AM show, arguing that it undermined the friendly relations that followed recent ministerial changes.
“It is good for optics that Ken Ofori-Atta is going. But the man who led us to the current financial and economic crisis has never been here before…Ghana has never been here until now. This is the same guy who kicked us out of the Eurobond market, when we have the ability to pay our bills and we aren’t scheduled to start paying until 2025, why is he being made an envoy? Will I be able to do it?
“I think Nana (President Akufo-Addo) will not send him there because he knows the international community is not that gullible. There is no economy right now. What are you going to advise me?”
“There are too many people walking around the presidential palace. Let’s get rid of them. If both governments come, we will fire the minister and that minister will become a special assistant in the presidential palace. We don’t want that. ” he emphasized.
Pianim also said he was dissatisfied with the resignation of Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu from his position as Parliamentary Majority Leader.
He argues that Suame should have been given the responsibility of running the parliament, which brings together MPs and other groups within the party in the run-up to the 2024 elections.
“Mr. Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu is the symbol of Parliament. I don’t think it will be easy to run Parliament. He has to make sure that all the bills introduced by the Cabinet and the President are in line with the Constitution. No need.”
“I’m sad. I think he should have been left there to run the parliament and also lead the parliamentary group and work with the party’s presidential group and the speaker and his group and the party itself, which is the leader. “That’s the standard bearer. ”
Pianim referred to the 24-hour economy initiative proposed by NDC leader John Mahama if he comes to power in the December general election, saying the policy lacks clarity.
“People talk about the 24-hour economy, but I don’t understand it. What is it? Where are we going to get electricity for three shifts when we don’t even have electricity for one shift?
“We started a 24-hour economy. I was the finance minister and I told the disabled that all repairs should be done at night so that traffic could move. But when they started it, The administrators refused to go and supervise. There was no security around.
“So let’s think about everything carefully and think about what we can do now. There is no place in the world that is running a 24-hour economy.”
Disclaimer: The views, comments, opinions, contributions and statements made by readers and contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policies of Multimedia Group Limited.