JOYBUSINESS is reliably informed the co-founder of Databank Financial Services, Ken Ofori-Atta is expected to be named as Finance Minister in the incoming government.

Sources say one of the major reasons why President-elect, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has settled on the financial guru is due to his plan to make the private sector the focus of this government as he works to stabilise the economy. 

This informs the former Attorney-General's decision to bring in someone who has been a player in the private sector and has a deeper understanding of the workings of the financial sector.

Another thing that may have worked for Ken Ofori Atta, according to sources, Nana Akufo-Addo trust in him as he comes in handy as someone that the President-elect can better relate to when it comes to issues on finance and the economy.

Mr Ofori-Atta is lauded for the astute manner in which he has managed Nana Akufo-Addo’s finance as an opposition leader and during the recent campaign period.

JOYBUSINESS gathers Mr Ofori Atta’s connection with the international business community and investors also played a major role in president elect’s decision to nominate him, to manage one of the most difficult and sensitive ministries of the state.  

Photo: Ken Ofori-Atta sharing the NPP message in traffic during the 2016 campaign.

He tells JOYBUSINESS he is prepared to hit the ground running, as soon as the President-elect formally hands the position to him.

Sources say Nana Akufo-Addo could release his first batch of ministerial appointments, possibly on January 8, which will include Mr Ken Ofori-Atta as Finance Minister.  

However, JOYBUSINESS is learning that his appointment is subject to the approval of the Executives of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and some senior members.

This is because close sources say there are some elements in the Party that are pushing other names like Dr Anthony Akoto Osei to be considered for the position. 

If the President-elect, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo should have his way, then, surely the astute investment banker would become the Finance Minister.

Meanwhile, economist, Professor Godfred Bokpin believes Ken Ofori Atta could deliver, because of what he has achieved in the private sector.

"He is not that outspoken but he is someone who has a deep understanding of our economy and I think he wants to mark. He wants to bring another dimension to how things are done," he said. 

Photo: Dr. Ken Ofori-Atta (right) with Mr. Keli Gadzekpo

PROFILE OF KEN OFORI-ATTA

Ken Ofori-Atta is a Co-Founder of Databank Financial Services Limited and served as its Executive Chairman from 1990 to February 14, 2012.

He worked with Salomon Brothers and Morgan Stanley, on debt and equity issues and financing for a variety of industries. He is a Co-Founder of the African Leadership Initiative of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.

Mr Ofori-Atta serves as the Chairman of Trust Bank Ltd. He serves as the Chairman of Family Ventures and Offices in Ghana and Chairman of Databank Agrifund Manager Ltd. He serves as a Director of Acumen Fund, Inc.

He has been a Director of Bank of Kigali Limited since September 11, 2015, and serves as on the Boards of Trust Bank Limited of The Gambia and Ventures & Acquisitions Limited.

The financial guru served as a Director of Enterprise Group Limited from October 2010 to June 30, 2015. He is also a Member of the President's Ghana Investors' Advisory Council.

His contributions to the financial system and commitment to excellence have earned him a nomination as the only black African to be listed in the world’s top fifty financial managers for the 21st century and also Marketing Man of the year for 1996 by the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana.

Mr Ofori-Atta has been honored as a Global Leader of Tomorrow by the World Economic Forum of Davos. He was the first African to testify in the US Congress to support the Africa Growth & Opportunities Act (AGOA).

He has over 12 years of experience in the finance and investment banking industry in both the United States and Ghana building up an enviable reputation of being a market leader. He serves as the Chairman of Investment Committee at Databank Agrifund Manager Limited.

He was honored as a Donaldson Fellow at Yale University in 2010 and a John Jay Fellow at Columbia University in 2011. He is a Henry Crown Fellow of the Aspen Institute.

He was twice honoured by PWC Ghana as one of the Top 5 Most Respected CEOs in Ghana. Mr. Ofori-Atta earned an MBA degree from the Yale School of Management in 1988 and a B.A. in Economics from the Columbia University (U.S.) in 1984.