Ofori-Atta Apologises for Economic Crisis In Ghana: "I Feel The Pain Of Ghanaians In My Soul"

• Finance minister has said he feels the pains of Ghanaians that have arisen due to the debilitating economic crisis
• Ken Ofori-Atta made the comment when he appeared before the ad hoc committee hearing the grounds for a censure motion brought against him by the Minority caucus
• The minister said he has managed the economy very well, contrary to the allegations by the Minority

Finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta has said he regrets the economic crisis that the country is facing and has admitted that he feels the pain of citizens.

Speaking at the ad hoc parliamentary committee hearing the motion of censure against him on Friday, November 18, 2022, the minister said a myriad of challenges led to the current crisis.

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"Today I acknowledge our economy is facing difficulties and the people of Ghana are facing difficulties. As the person president Akufo-Addo has put in charge of this economy, I feel the pain personally, professionally and in my soul," he said.

The finance minister also said since the Akufo-Addo administration assumed office in 2017, himself and other appointees have strived to make the lives of Ghanaians better.

He said the government's firm efforts to improve the lives Ghanaians and improve the economy were on track for four years until external factors derailed it.

Ofori-Atta: Kufuor Declares He Has Not Invited 98 NPP MPs Agitating For Finance Minister’s Dismissal For Talks

Meanwhile, YEN.com.gh has reported in a separate story that the office of former president John Agyekum Kufuor has denied rumours that he has invited the 98 NPP MPs demanding the sack of the finance minister for talks.

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The report was first published by Starr News, citing confidential sources, that the former president, who is a member of the NPP Council of Elders, has moved to dissuade the NPP MPs to backdown on their demand.

But in a response on Thursday, November 17, 2022, Dr Kwabena Osei-Adubofour, ex president Kufuor senior aide and spokesperson, said the reports are mischievous.

“Despicable Conflict of Interest” And 6 Other Reasons Why Finance Minister Could Lose His Job

Also, YEN.com.gh reported previously that Minority in Parliament listed seven justifications for Ofori-Atta's appointment to be revoked when they filed a motion of censure earlier this November.

The Minority MPs say the minister misconducted himself both professionally and legally.

They accuse Ofori-Atta of withdrawing money from the Consolidated Fund unconstitutionally.

The Minority Caucus cite the following 7 reasons as justification the motion to revoke Ken Ofori-Atta's appointment:

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1. Despicable conflict of Interest ensuring that he directly benefits from Ghana's economic woes as his companies receive commissions and other unethical contractual advantage particularly from Ghana's debt overhang;

2. Unconstitutional withdrawals from the Consolidated Fund in blatant contravention of Article 178 of the 1992 Constitution supposedly for the construction of the President's Cathedral;

3. Illegal payment of oil revenues into offshore accounts in flagrant violation of Article 176 of the 1992 Constitution;

4. Deliberate and dishonest misreporting of economic data to Parliament

5. Fiscal recklessness leading to the crash of the Ghana Cedi which is currently the worst performing currency in the world;

6. Alarming incompetence and frightening ineptitude resulting in the collapse of the Ghanaian economy and on excruciating cost of living crisis;

7. Gross mismanagement of the economy which has occasioned untold and unprecedented hardship.

Source: YEN.com.gh