Majority Leader worried about the timing of calls for Ofori-Atta’s dismissal

The Majority Leader in Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has expressed worry about the timing of calls for the dismissal of Finance Minister, Ofori-Atta.

According to him, removing the finance minister at a crucial time when negotiations are ongoing for economic support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will be problematic.

He believes Mr Ofori-Atta’s absence from the negotiation team will not be in the country’s best interest.

This comes after the Majority Caucus in Parliament called on the President to dismiss Mr Ofori-Atta.

The Majority contends that the finance minister should take full responsibility for Ghana’s current economic woes and should be fired by the President to make way for a more competent person to handle the IMF negotiations.

Addressing a press conference Tuesday, October 25, 2022, the Majority Caucus called on the President to immediately dismiss the Finance Minister and the Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, Charles Adu Boahen.

They threatened to boycott the 2023 budget presentation, debate, and other parliamentary businesses if the President failed to sack Mr Ofori-Atta.

Explaining his position on the demand of his colleagues, Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said his immediate concern is the repercussions Mr Ofori-Atta’s dismissal will have on the IMF negotiations.

He added that he tried to persuade the MPs to hold on with their demand but failed.

“I have listened to their concerns about the fact that if the Finance Minister is removed it might help us in our recovery. I told them I appreciate their concerns. My only concern was the timing. Considering our negotiations with the IMF and how far it has come, and how it may affect the progress we have made so far.”

“I appealed to them to hold their horses, that was on Sunday, and I even revealed some discussions I had earlier with the President, and I thought that was going to calm their nerves a bit. But at the end of the day, I was unable to dissuade them,” he admitted.

Meanwhile, the President has asked the Majority Caucus to give the Finance Minister some time to conclude the IMF negotiations before discussing his removal.

At a meeting with the aggrieved MPs, he said terminating the appointment of Ken Ofori-Atta would disrupt the programme, which is near completion.