Audio By Carbonatix
A New Patriotic Party (NPP) stalwart and activist, Dr Arthur Kobina Kennedy, says the continuation of Ken Ofori-Atta in office as Finance Minister has become untenable.
This, according to him is because Mr. Ofori-Atta has publicly declared his unwillingness to submit the economy to a bailout from the International Monetary Fund despite the difficulties.
Besides, individuals, Members of Parliament and civil sociaety organisations have been vocal about their dissatisfaction with his performance as a Finance Minister.
Dr. Arthur Kennedy made this statement on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday.
“I think even before this went to the chamber, a lot of significant things had happened. And I actually agree that the Finance Minister’s position has been untenable for some time,” he told host, Samson Lardy Anyenini.
Dr Arthur further stated that individuals who seem to support the Finance Minister’s stay in office, fail to realise that Ghanaians had clearly indicated to the world and to themselves that they no longer have confidence in him.
These developments, he explained, are significantly disadvantageous to Mr. Ofori-Atta, as they weaken his stance in the negotiations with the IMF.
Additionally, he said that domestic budget negotiations would be hampered by Mr. Ofori-Atta's continued presence, because the public have been led to believe that the Minister would step down after reading the budget.
Dr. Arthur Kennedy expressed the view that Mr. Ofori-Atta's continued stay in office undermines any agreements that would be made.
The NPP stalwart's comments follow a failed attempt by the Minority in Parliament to remove Mr. Ofori-Atta from office due to lack of required quorum of MPs to pass a motion of censure brought against him on Thursday.
The sponsors of the motion needed the backing of 183 parliamentarians in order to succeed in removing Mr. Ofori-Atta.
Only 136 legislators from the Minority side, however, voted on Thursday, falling short of the two-thirds constitutional requirement.
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