Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, says the country’s economy is in tatters as a result of what he has described as poor economic management.
According to him, the current managers of the economy, including the Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and the Minister of State at the same Ministry, Charles Adu Boahen “have proven that they just have no clue” and cannot do much to change the economy.
Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa said the country needs new persons with fresh ideas to turn Ghana’s economic fortunes around.
“You cannot be expecting a different outcome from the same people who have driven us into the ditch. What even strengthens my point is that the current managers of this economy are profiting from the mess.
“We are all complaining about the debt overhang, about how they’re just borrowing instead of a substantial cut in expenditure. It is to their personal benefit. The Finance Minister, and Charles Adu Boahen, they are benefiting directly from our woes, from our predicament,” he said.
Meanwhile, he wants President Akufo-Addo to ask Vice President, Mahamudu Bawumia to step aside as the Chairman of the Economic Management Team.
He explained that much as the time is ripe for the President to reshuffle his Ministers, the starting point should be the Economic Management Team, because of the current economic challenges in the country.
“I expect the President to take clear actions on the economy. He should reshuffle his team, the Vice-President who has been a fantastic failure should be asked to step aside as Chairman of the Economic Management Team,” he added.
President Akufo-Addo set up the Economic Management Team in February 2017 as part of efforts to enhance fiscal discipline through prudent public resource and debt management.
Its Chair is the Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia with the Senior Minister Yaw Osafo-Maafo as the Vice-Chair.
Other members are Ken Ofori-Atta, Minister for Finance; Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, Minister of Food and Agriculture; Mathew Opoku Prempeh, the Minister of Energy; Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, Minister of Trade and Industry; and Professor Joe Amoako-Tuffour as the team’s secretary.
