Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, is urging President Akufo-Addo to fulfill his promise to Ghanaians and dismiss his cousin, the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, after securing the $3 billion IMF deal.
Recall that the Majority faction in Parliament demanded Mr. Ofori-Atta's dismissal; however, after meeting with the President, the caucus disclosed in a statement dated 26 October 2022 that the President asked them to step aside until Ghana's negotiations with the IMF were concluded.
The executive council of the IMF approved the $3 billion bailout on Wednesday, 17 May 2023, allowing for an immediate disbursement of approximately $600 million.
Mr. Ablakwa asks President Nana Akufo-Addo if he will consider the request of his members of parliament following the successful conclusion of the transaction.
In a Facebook post, the representative for North Tongu stated, "After an embarrassing U-Turn deal with the IMF, Ghanaians expect President Akufo-Addo to keep his word and fire his cousin Ken Ofori-Atta, who is now widely considered Ghana's most disastrous Finance Minister."
Will the President endeavor to be a man of his word in this instance? he probed.
Prior to this new reminder, a number of Ghanaians and civil society organizations had unsuccessfully urged the President to dismiss Mr. Ofori-Atta due to the difficult economic conditions.