Embattled Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta seem to have lost total control and utmost confidence within and out outside his political hookup, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as Majority Caucus are still bent in their attempts to axe him from his position.
A few weeks after heeding the call by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to give him(Ken) space to read the 2023 budget statement and finish the negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the MPs have rescinded their decision, calling for the immediate firing of Mr. Ofori-Atta.
Some MPS in the Majority Caucus, numbering 98 have stated clearly that until President Akufo-Addo snappily fire Ofori-Atta, they will boycott the next budget presentation to parliament.
In an interview with JoyNews’ PM Express, the MP for Asante Akyem North, Andy Appiah-Kubi, who is also a spokesperson for the group indicated that Ofori-Atta’s stance in government has become untenable, hence the current call for his resignation.
“We’ve gone back to (our demand for the President to) sack him now and therefore should the budget be presented under the stamp of the Finance Minister, we’ll not participate because as far as we’re concerned we’re never going to do business with him.
“And if we’re not going to do business with him, he does not participate in any process from the Presidency to the House. We will not participate in deliberations too.”
According to them, until President Akufo-Addo appoints another competent person apart from Ofori-Atta, they will take part in the budget presentation and appropriation.
“We’re not saying we won’t do President’s business. We’re saying we won’t do President’s business through Ofori-Atta. So if anybody else comes with President’s business, we’ll participate,” he said.
He further stressed that the decision emanates from a meeting held on Tuesday, November 15, which was attended by 98 NPP MPs to take a second look at their collective position after they agreed to let go of their initial stance.
Currently, Ofori-Atta is facing a vote of censure from the Minority caucus of Parliament with public sitting.
By Lawrence Odoom