Multiple media reports have indicated that President Akufo-Addo has told the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament who want the Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta out, to allow him conclude the negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) before exiting office.
President Akufo-Addo is reported to have held a crunch meeting with the lawmakers who made the demand at the seat of government on Tuesday October 25.
The Majority caucus in Parliament had threatened to boycott the presentation and debate on the 2023 budget statement if President Akufo-Addo does not remove Mr. Ofori-Atta and Adu Boahen.
The NPP MPs believe that the prevailing economic situation in the country does not make it right for the two gentlemen to remain in office hence the President must ask them to go.
Addressing a press conference in Parliament on Tuesday, October 25, a lawmaker for Asante Akyem North, Andy Appiah-Kubi said “We are unhappy with the developments in the country, we consulted our constituents who also expressed same sentients.
“We want the President to remove Ken Ofori and Chares Adu Boahen.
“We are by this medium communicating our strong desire that the President changes the Minister of Finance and the Minister of State in the Finance Ministry without further delay.
“We want to serve notice, and notice is hereby served that until such persons as aforementioned are made to resign or removed from office, we members of the Majority Caucus here in Parliament will not participate in any business of Government by or, for the president by any other Minster.
“We hope that those of us in the back bench and members of the Majority caucus will abide by this prayer.
“We are saying that if our request is not responded to positively, we will not be present for the budget hearing neither will we participate in the debate.
Meanwhile, the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has asked its members and other stakeholders to remain calm as they resolve the issues surrounding the Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.
In a statement the National Chair of the NPP, Stephen Ntim said “In view of the above development, the leadership of the party is currently engaging government as well as Parliamentary Group and urges all stakeholders to remain calm as it seeks an amicable resolution to the impasse.”
