Yes, Gabby Otchere Darko is my cousin; Ken Ofori-Atta on Akufo-Addo's family and friends gov't
- The Finance Minister says he was appointed based on merit and not because he is related to the president
- Ken Ofori Atta indicated that Gabby Otchere Darko is a cousin of his
- The Akufo-Addo government has been criticized for being nepotistic
The Finance Minister-Designate, Ken Ofori-Atta says he was appointed by the President based on merit.
Taking his turn before the appointments committee, the finance minister-designate stated that even though he had family and friends in the Akufo-Addo administration, their expertise and contribution to economic development were all that matter.
Ken Ofori-Atta made these comments when the Minority Chief Whip in Parliament, Muntaka Mubarak, questioned him on his relations with Gabby Otchere Darko and other members of the presidency.
“Yes, Gabby is by cousin, but this does not take away what I have to offer and my expertise, Mr. Chairman,” he stated.
Source: Facebook
Meanwhile, Finance Minister-nominee, Ken Ofori-Atta has stated that his key focus in becoming the minister is to reduce revenue lost to tax exemptions.
According to him, despite a lack of significant action in the last four years under his tenure, his focus is still the same.
Answering questions during his vetting, Ofori-Atta said under revenue generation, the issue of tax exemptions, alongside harnessing revenue from property rates and digitalisation “are going to be key areas for me.”
In March 2019, the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta submitted the Tax Exemptions Bill to Parliament.
Cabinet also amended the process for approving exemptions to include compulsory clearance by the Ministry.
In other news, the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has given the assurance that the government is working hard to purchase some 42 million additional COVID-19 doses by the close of 2021.
According to him, talks on the vaccine are far advanced to get them into the country.
This he said goes to say that by the end of the year, the entire adult population would be vaccinated.
“Government remains on course to procuring a total of 42 million vaccines to achieve its target of 20 million vaccinated Ghanaians by the end of the year,” the President said.
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Source: YEN.com.gh
