Are you a “goro boy” in this govt? – Ato Forson Questions Bawumia on Economic Management Team Role

The Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has accused Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of running away from his role as the Head of President Akufo-Addo’s Economic Management Team.

According to the Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam MP, the vice president ought to take accountability for the failed policies under his leadership.

Dr. Ato Forson vehemently rejected Dr. Bawumia’s claims, branding them as false and unacceptable to the Ghanaian populace. He argued that Dr Bawumia’s remarks amounted to mere excuses for the shortcomings of the EMT, which have significantly burdened the Ghanaian people.

In a social media post, the former Deputy Finance Minister emphasized the vigilance of Ghanaians, asserting that they would not be swayed by Dr Bawumia’s rhetoric.

“How come Dr. Bawumia is now downplaying the role of the Economic Management Team and his chairmanship at a time when the full impact of the government’s bad economic policies is adversely impacting the people of Ghana and Ghanaians are facing excruciating hardships? Why is Dr Bawumia running away from his role and making it look as though he has something new to offer the people of Ghana?”

“For the record, Dr. Bawumia superintends the Economic Management Team, where all key decisions regarding the national economy are taken. These decisions are then taken to Cabinet, where Dr Bawumia justifies them with the Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta for approval.”

“Again, in the absence of the President, Dr. Bawumia acts as president and chairs the Cabinet. Why is he therefore suggesting that he is a mere “Goro boy” sitting in his corner somewhere in the government? he quizzed.

This comes on the backdrop of claims by Dr Bawumia that the Economic Management Team (EMT), over which he presides, lacks decision-making authority. He explained that the EMT, functioning as a sub-committee of the cabinet, could only provide recommendations rather than enact them.

“I was, thankfully, appointed as Chairman of the Economic Management Team (EMT). As a sub-committee to the Cabinet, we do not have any decision-making powers, but I am very proud of the quality of advice we have been providing over the years to the Cabinet,” he stressed during an address at the University of Professional Studies, Accra, (UPSA) on Wednesday, February 7, 2024.