Akufo-Addo Minister Reshuffle: Ofori-Atta Leads Ministers Axed In Major Government Shake-Up

• President Akufo-Addo has sacked Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta in his ministerial reshuffle
• Roads Minister Kwame Amoako-Atta and Health Minister Kwaku Agyemang Manu are among 12 other ministers being removed
• The reshuffle on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, is the first major overhaul under the Akufo-Addo administration

Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is being removed from office after President Akufo-Addo’s highly anticipated ministerial reshuffle.

Roads Minister Kwame Amoako-Atta and Health Minister Kwaku Agyemang Manu were also axed.

Other ministers like Kojo Oppong Nkrumah have been removed and resigned from their portfolios to other ministries.

Ofori-Atta is being replaced by Mohammed Amin Adam, who was his deputy.

The reshuffle on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, marks the first significant overhaul under the Akufo-Addo administration.

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Before the reshuffle, multiple reports cited sources from Jubilee House indicating that over 10 ministers would be affected.

On Tuesday, February 13, 2024, President Akufo-Addo reportedly held extensive discussions with ministers and deputy ministers who could be affected, as well as those joining or leaving his administration in the imminent reshuffle.

Ofori-Atta has been one of the most under-fire ministers and the subject of protests because of the economic crisis.

Ghana also returned to the IMF for a bailout under Ofori-Atta's stewardship of the economy.

Notably, over 80 pro-government legislators demanded the removal of Ofori-Atta from office.

The demand by the MPs was, however, rejected by President Akufo-Addo, who called for calm until the completion of Ghana’s negotiation with the IMF for a bailout.

The president later reposed confidence in the finance minister on various public speaking platforms.

Find the full list of ministers axed below:

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Concerns over regional balance

In comments to YEN.com.gh, the Bodi MP from the Western North Region, Sampson Ahi, noted that his region no longer had a representative as a minister.

The only minister from Western North, Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, was sacked in the reshuffle.

Ahi noted that this ran foul of the requirement to ensure regional balance in appointments.

"This one is not doing NDC NPP politics with it. This is our right. We are supposed to be on the cabinet and there is a strong oversight.”

Bawumia promises to scrap a number of taxes

YEN.com.gh reported that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, promised to abolish the e-levy and other taxes burdening Ghanaians.

The Electronic Transfer Levy Act imposed a levy of 1% on electronic transfers.

Bawumia said he would execute these promises if elected president after the 2024 polls.

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He was addressing supporters in preparation for his political campaign at the Kofi Ohene Konadu Auditorium at UPSA.

Bawumia also announced that he will abolish the emission tax, tax on betting, and the proposed 15% VAT on electricity tariffs if it exists by January 2025.

He also announced that his government would introduce what he described as a friendly, flat tax regime for Ghana, which would boost individuals and businesses.

Source: YEN.com.gh