The outgoing Asante Akim North MP, Andy Appiah-Kubi, has delivered a scathing critique of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, accusing him of being “too pompous” and wielding more power than even President Nana Akufo-Addo.

Speaking in an interview on TV3, he detailed what he described as the dysfunctional dynamics in the government under Mr Ofori-Atta’s tenure.

Mr Appiah-Kubi criticised the former Minister for his perceived arrogance and lack of responsiveness to the Economic Management Team (EMT), which is chaired by Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

The outgoing legislator was a leading figure in the #KenMustGo campaign, which called for the resignation of Mr Ofori-Atta amidst Ghana’s economic challenges.

“Part of the reason that we said he must go was that Ken was not responding to advice from even the Economic Management Team,” he revealed.

The MP alleged that instead of the Finance Minister answering to the Vice President, the opposite often occurred.

“Dr. Bawumia was supposed to be chairing the committee. How many times would they call? I know for a fact that Dr. Bawumia would have to go to the Minister of Finance in his ministerial office, instead of the Vice President inviting him.”

Appiah-Kubi characterised Mr Ofori-Atta as a “pompous” figure whose influence undermined the hierarchy of governance.

“He grew too pompous… When you have a system that has turned upside down like that, you don’t expect the system to generate the required results.”

The MP went further, claiming that Ofori-Atta wielded influence exceeding even the President’s authority.

“He was more powerful than Dr Bawumia, more powerful than even the President. The President would tell him, ‘Go and do this,’ and he’d say, ‘That won’t happen.’”

Mr Appiah-Kubi shared an incident where Ofori-Atta allegedly overstepped during a party meeting:

“He came to our meeting and said that, ‘I procured this victory.’ I stood up and said, ‘My friend, what are you saying? I didn’t see your hand in love [the campaign efforts].’”

The MP recalled challenging Ofori-Atta’s assertion that he single-handedly secured the party’s electoral success:

“It cannot be the case that you, as a single person, procured victory for everybody.”

Despite the tense dynamics, Mr Appiah-Kubi lauded Vice President Bawumia for his composure amid the challenges.

“Let me commend Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for the patience he had. I wouldn’t have survived that kind of treatment,” he said.

The MP contrasted Bawumia’s calm demeanour with his own limits, expressing admiration for the Vice President’s ability to navigate the strained relationship with Ofori-Atta.

Appiah-Kubi lamented the state of governance during Ofori-Atta’s tenure, describing it as riddled with disrespect and dysfunction:

“The system turned upside down. Disrespect...You don’t expect such a system to deliver the results we need.”