By Franklin Asare-Donkoh
Former minister for Works and Housing Minister and Member of Parliament (MP) for Akim Abuakwa South Constituency in the Eastern region, Mr. Samuel Atta Akyea, has called on the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta to resign honourably to save himself and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) led administration.
Mr. Atta Mr. Samuel Atta Akyea said “I’m calling on the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, to consider stepping down for both his own sake and the good of the government.”
The calls for Mr. Ofori-Atta’s resignation which was first initiated by some 95 MPs have been growing for months, fueled by the country’s ongoing economic challenges.
About 95 NPP MPs began the initiative to get the finance minister sacked for what they described as poor management and handling of state finances.
Again the largest opposition party in Ghana, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has been very vocal in the sacking of Mr. Ofori-Attah and have repeatedly blaming the Finance Minister for the current fiscal difficulties.
Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, Mr Atta-Akyea emphasized the importance of self-reflection for Mr Ofori-Atta, suggesting that he considers his position for his well-being and that of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
“For me, what is very frightening is the fact that you have a whole army of people saying look you’ve had enough…I think that that could be a way for him to relax. Look at all the burdens on one man. So it is his individual decision to make as to whether he should go or he should continue.”
Atta-Akyea went further, stating that Ofori-Atta’s resignation might even contribute to calmer waters for both the government and the nation.
“He should look at himself and look at all the troubles that everybody believes that I mean when he is not there then the nation will have peace, if that is what is the thinking of the people, I will advise myself. He should save himself and save the government and have his peace because he needs it, a man cannot be troubled in the manner in which he has been troubled,” Mr Atta Akyea said.
Mr Atta Akyea also criticized individuals who blame Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia for the country’s economic woes.
He acknowledged that the economy is not in its best form, describing it as ‘unkind’ and ‘cruel’ for anyone to attribute economic issues in the Akufo-Addo government to Dr Bawumia.
Mr. Atta Akyea insisted that the vice president was in a very serious adversary role that prevented him from making some sensitive decisions for the country.
