A Former Deputy Finance Minister has warned the Majority NPP MPs not to back down on their quest to have the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, removed from office.
Speaking in an interview on JoyNews’ Newsfile, on Saturday, Mona Quartey said if the MPs fail to stand their grounds, it will cost them their parliamentary seats in the next elections.
Her comment comes against the backdrop of the 80 Majority MPs backtracking on their call for the removal of the Finance Minister, Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta until negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are completed.
The MPs adopted this new stance after a meeting with President Akufo-Addo.
Madam Quartey insisted that by acceding to the President’s appeal, the MPs have failed their constituents.
The Managing Partner at BVM Advisory Services said if the MPs back down in their request, “the people will show you where the power lies.”
This, she says is because the power lies in the thumb of the voter to vote the Members of Parliament into or out of power in the 2024 election."
“The people of Ghana are suffering, and especially the MPs, you must consider your constituents, you are going to go back to them. You won’t be MPs forever, when you go back they will show you where the power lies,” she stressed.
She also called on the Majority MPs to join forces with their Minority counterparts in their vote of censure against the Finance Minister.
It will be recalled that on Tuesday, October 25, 80 out of the 137 Majority MPs demanded the sacking of the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, and the Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Charles Adu-Boahen citing their poor management of the country’s fiscal space.
The MPs at a press conference held at Parliament blamed the duo for the delay in the ongoing International Monetary Fund programme negotiations that is expected to give the country a bailout.
“We are by this medium communicating our strong desire that the President changes the Minister of Finance and the Minister of State at the Finance Ministry without further delay to restore hope to the financial sector and reverse the downward trend in the growth of the economy.”
The group led by the MP for Asante Akim North, Andy Appiah-Kubi said the failure of government to heed their demands will result in their boycott of all government business.
Their move was applauded by the general public and other groups who have in the past called for similar action to be taken.
This drew the attention of the President and summoned the NPP MPs for a meeting on the substantive matter.
After the meeting with President Akufo-Addo, the MPs in a U-turn later acceded to the President’s appeal to allow Ken Ofori-Atta and Charles Adu-Boahen stay in office till after the IMF deal is sorted out and the 2023 Budget is presented to Parliament.
Their u-turn has caused them some disaffection among the populace.
Latest Stories
-
Sammy Gyamfi must resign for public misconduct – ACUC
43 minutes -
International partnerships and technology transfer – Policy recommendations for African Maritime decarbonisation
1 hour -
Sekondi College crowned zonal champions after narrow win over Adiembra SHS
2 hours -
Bond market: Secondary activity eases 2.67% to GH¢1.23bn
2 hours -
Cedi to continue appreciating against dollar, others; one dollar going for GH¢13.60
2 hours -
AU Conference on Debt: Mahama shares lessons on Ghana’s journey in debt restructuring
2 hours -
Defence Ministry, Catholic Bishops’ Conference forge partnership for Sahel Peace Initiative
2 hours -
EU, Member States inject over €800m into Ghana’s infrastructure development
2 hours -
Infrastructure alone is not enough to build robust payment system in Ghana, Africa – Governor
2 hours -
UER: Residents to be surcharged for poor sanitation
2 hours -
IMANI Africa’s critical analysis of 120-day social contract of Mahama
2 hours -
Mahama calls for common African position ahead of 2025 G20 Summit
2 hours -
Climate change: Mahama advocates scaling up of green/blue bonds across Africa
2 hours -
Otumfuo says mediation process has brought relative calm in Bawku
2 hours -
GSS begins nationwide Quarterly Labour Force Survey on May 17
3 hours