The minority in parliament is demanding the immediate dismissal of the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta who they claim is behind the country’s economic woes.
According to the Deputy Ranking Member of the Finance Committee, Isaac Adongo, that’s the only way out for the government to be able to revive the tattered economy.
In calling for the head of the Minister, the Bolgatanga Central MP, also accused him of mismanaging the economy and riding on the back of the controversial E-Levy to divert attention from the ailing economy.
“To give Ghana a fighting chance of reversing the economic doldrums, Ken Ofori Atta must be sacked. Ken is not somebody who even understands the issues we are discussing. Anytime you ask him a question he talks philosophy, he quotes the bible. He doesn’t address the fundamental question of the economy, fiscal policy and monetary policy.”
Mr Adongo also questioned the rationale behind the appointment of Mr Ofori-Atta who he described as incompetent.
“How on earth he became a Finance Minister of our country is where we are today. Even if we carry loads of money to Akufo-Addo, and we say collect 20 billion, Ken Ofori-Atta sitting there with that level of incompetence and with that lack of understanding is the cause of the challenges facing the economy, he won’t mind you.”
The Akufo-Addo led government as a means of addressing revenue shortfalls is resorting to internal and domestic mobilization measures, including introducing the controversial Electronic Transaction Levy (E-levy).
The E-levy has been a bone of contention between the Majority and Minority groups in Parliament since its introduction last year leading to fisticuffs on the floor of the House.
As Ghanaians wait with bated breath for the tabling of the bill for debate and approval, President Akufo Addo has assured that it will be approved despite opposition from the Minority.
But these claims have been laughed off by Mr Adongo who has observed that the approval of the levy does not lie in the mouth of the president.
“We haven’t seen any determination on the side of the majority. This government has shown that it cannot hold a divided country together. You are not a government that can get the buy-in of Ghanaians on a policy. The approval of the e-levy is not determined at the Jubilee house,” he said.
Source: Thenewsroomonline