The mood of the nation is tilting toward a possible resignation of the Finance Minister.

It has been a long time coming but following a meeting between Majority Members of Parliament and President Akufo-Addo last night, it is now a matter of ‘when’, not ‘if’.

Ken Ofori-Atta’s grasp as manager of the country’s purse, has been called into question amid the current economic downturn.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIGPRmBKHCw

On Tuesday, over 80 legislators belonging to the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) said they could no longer shoulder the impact of Mr Ofori-Atta's supposed inefficiency on the lives of their constituents.

The group is not the first to make such a call. Civil Society Organisations, the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and a section of the general public have for the past few months called the Minister out for not having a firm grip on the country's finances.

However, President Akufo-Addo has on multiple occasions mounted a strong defence for his cousin despite a U-turn to seek a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), a depreciating cedi, high inflation rate and the rising cost of living.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGZfpVDOLfc

Below is a chronicle of moments where he has rejected such calls and his justification thereof;

1. 'The same man who took us out of IMF programme?'

By September 2 this year, the chorusing sentiments had risen to the extent that not commenting was not an option for President Akufo-Addo.

In an interview via Obaatampa FM, the President indicated that his assessment of his Ministers was a continuous process adding that a reshuffle was not on the table for now.

This included the Finance Minister who President Akufo-Addo said "is the very man who took us successfully out of the IMF Programme and helped us to reach the 7% of growth we had before
Covid-19."

"People are forgetting that because we are in a difficult position. But he is the same figure. He hasn't changed and I believe that he has the same determination to work us out of this crisis as he showed at the beginning of my government," President Akufo-Addo added.

2. On what basis?

On October 17, 2022, President Akufo-Addo said there was no basis for him to sack the Finance Minister.

According to him, Mr Ofori-Atta has discharged his duties 'excellently' and he cannot relieve such a person of his position.

President Akufo-Addo speaking on OTEC FM said he has full confidence in the Minister.

He insisted that Ofori-Atta cannot be blamed for the current economic woes the country is facing.

3. Ofori-Atta's sacking will disrupt IMF bailout process

This is President Akufo-Addo's latest justification for his cousin's continuous stay in office.

He has asked for more time for the embattled Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to conclude negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) before any talks of resignation.

https://www.myjoyonline.com/allow-ofori-atta-to-finish-imf-negotiations-akufo-addo-to-npp-mps-demanding-his-sacking/

Documents available to JoyNews suggest a deal could be reached with the IMF in three weeks for a $3 billion balance of payment support. 

This, the President believes, could be disrupted if Ken Ofori-Atta is sacked or forced to resign.

This was an outcome of a meeting held by President Akufo-Addo and NPP Members of Parliament over the demand for the Finance Minister to be sacked over his handling of the economy.