President Akufo-Addo has explained why he appointed former Chairman of Databank, Ken Ofori-Atta, to serve a second term as Finance Minister.

He said it is as a result of a high level of competence exhibited in managing the country’s economic affairs in his first term.

“He provided a staunch defence of his record in office as Finance Minister from February 17, 2017, when he inherited a weak, faltering economy from the Mahama Administration and helped nurse the economy back to good health by January 6, 2021," he said.

The President made the comment at the swearing-in of Ken Ofori-Atta, Tuesday at the Jubilee House.

This follows the vetting and subsequent approval of Mr Ofori- Atta as Finance Minister.

At the event, President Akufo-Addo expressed delight in the approval, indicating that it was the best gift the House gave him on March 29, which happens to be his birthday.

"I commend Parliament for the bi-partisan consensus manner with which it did its work... I'm grateful to the House for giving me a good birthday present with the approval of the Minister on my birthday."

He further stated that, he was impressed with the Finance Minister's performance during his vetting.

"Everyone who watched him on national television, at the committee hearings could understand why I had little choice but to re-nominate him to serve another four years as Minister for Finance.

"Over two days, he exhibited clarity of thoughts, a clear understanding of how to grow an economy and what prospects the economy holds for the Ghanaian people," the President said.

"He highlighted what public service means to him and outlined the plans he has to help revitalise the Ghanaian economy and restore it to the kinds of growth and expansion witnessed before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic."

Mr Ofori-Atta faced an unprecedented two-day vetting before the Parliament’s Appointments Committee after which the Committee by consensus recommended his approval to the House.

This was after the nominee returned to Ghana after his treatment for post-Covid implications in the USA.

He is among 46 ministers who have been sworn into office by the President to help manage the affairs of the state in his second term.