By AccraLIVE
The Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has cynically characterized the recent assignment of the former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, as a historic appointment.
In his view, this appointment marks another historic milestone under President Akufo-Addo.
“Another history chalked under Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Alhaji Dr. Bawumia, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam is the first finance minister to be in charge of only domestic public finance, while a superior appointee will be in charge of international and private finance. What a historic appointment,” he commented on his X platform
“Ofori-Atta’s New Portfolio: This appointment may muddy the waters for the effective and smooth administration of the new Finance Minister”. – Prof Baffour
Mr. Ofori-Atta has been assigned a new portfolio in the Akufo-Addo administration as part of the highly anticipated reshuffling by the President.
In a letter dated February 15, 2024, and endorsed by the Chief of Staff, Frema Osei-Opare, the former Finance Minister has been designated as the Senior Presidential Advisor and Special Envoy for International Finance & Private Sector Investments.
“I am pleased to inform you that the President of the Republic has appointed you as the Senior Presidential Advisor and Special Envoy for International Finance and Private Sector Investments.”
“I take this opportunity to congratulate you formally on your reassignment and wish you the very best in this new office.
“Please accept the President’s best wishes,” portions of the letter read.
Ken Ofori-Atta received the letter one day after the President announced the reshuffling of certain cabinet ministers.
In his place, Mohammed Amin Adam, a former Deputy Energy Minister and Minister of State at the Presidency, has been designated as the new finance minister.
In response to the appointment of his successor, Mr. Ofori-Atta referred to Amin Adam as a blessing for the future of Ghana.
“The future is here with us as we are blessed with a new leader, Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, who replaced the venerable Charles Adu Boahen and has been with us through some of the most difficult times. Let us all circle the wagons and ensure a blazing success for his stewardship,” Ken Ofori-Atta indicated in a release.”
The former Minister of Finance continued, “We all know him as a smart, humble and inclusive leader. Let me state with all humility that nothing would honour me and the ‘Office of the Minister more than for you to work with renewed diligence to guide Hon. Amin and our nation to the successful execution of the IMF-ECF programme to promote economic growth and transformation.”
Additionally, responding to this development, Governance Expert Prof. Baffour Agyeman-Duah expressed concern that Mr. Ofori-Atta’s new portfolio could disrupt the effective and seamless administration of the new Finance Minister, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam.
He pointed out that Mr. Ofori-Atta’s new role implies direct involvement in the country’s international financial engagements, particularly negotiations for debt arrangements or new loans—responsibilities typically assigned to the new Finance Minister, Dr. Amin Adam.
“That position will seem to suggest that somehow he is going to be dealing directly in the country’s international financial engagements, especially negotiations either for debt arrangements or new loans.
“The question is whether this is going to overshadow the work of the new Finance Minister, because as the new Finance Minister he is leading the country in meeting our international obligations and negotiations on that, he should be the one to lead negotiation for new loans, but if Mr Ofori-Atta is going to be an envoy for international finance then that will suggest that somehow he will be playing a leading role,” he added.
Source/Ghana Tonight/Accralive.com/Ebenezer Junior Arthur.
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