By AccraLIVE
Economist and Professor of Finance, Prof Godfred Bokpin, criticizes the appointment of former Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, as Senior Presidential Advisor and Special Envoy for International Finance and Private Sector Investments. According to him, considering Mr Ofori-Atta’s track record before his recent appointment, he does not think Ofori-Atta deserves to be reappointed to a higher position.
In an interview on JoyFM’s Top Story on February 26, Prof Bokpin expressed disappointment, stating that he initially supported Ken Ofori-Atta’s appointment as Finance Minister due to his qualifications. However, he believes Ofori-Atta has not met expectations and has left a disappointing legacy.
“I respect Honourable Ken Ofori-Atta. Look, when he was appointed I supported his appointment looking at his performance in the private sector, we couldn’t have gotten it better, right? But overall let me tell you, what we see right now really does not give a compelling reason for him to be given another responsibility in the government,” he said.
Professor Bokpin clarified that effective leaders are typically visionary individuals capable of anticipating problems and implementing strategic solutions. However, he criticized the Finance Minister, stating that during the crucial period when such qualities were expected, he failed to meet the country’s expectations.
He added that this has led to the country’s economic hardship.
“Ghana and Kenya exited Covid-19 with similar economic fundamentals, similar challenges. The difference between Kenya and Ghana, as we speak right now, was simply because Kenya was a bit more proactive in reaching out to the IMF for fund-supported programmes right after Covid-19.
“But Ghana, that is where I think that Honourable Ken Ofori-Atta failed Ghanaians because part of leadership is to recognise the signs and the magnitude before the average Ghanaian gets to know.
“And the failure on the part of the Finance Minister then and the government overall in being proactive in reaching out to the IMF actually brought so much hardship on Ghanaians and I have said it, I won’t run away from that,” he added.
On February 15, President Akufo-Addo appointed the former Finance Minister to the position of Senior Presidential Advisor and Special Envoy for International Finance and Private Sector Investments. This decision prompted concerns from many individuals questioning the need for his elevation to a new role.
Individuals and grassroots organisation, the Alliance for Foot Soldiers and Advocacy, have since pushed for the revocation of the appointment.
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Source/JoyFM Top Story/Accralive.com/Ebenezer Junior Arthur
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