Minority responds to Ofori-Atta’s accusation of the NDC leaving a strained financial industry

The Minority parliamentary caucus has responded to Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta’s accusation that the previous National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration left a derailed International Monetary Fund (IMF) program.

Ofori-Atta, in an article, asserted that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government inherited a “derailed IMF program and a severely impaired and ethically strained financial industry” in 2017 from the previous administration.

This statement came in the wake of the Minority’s calls for the resignation of the Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), alleging mismanagement of the Central Bank.

In addition, Ofori-Atta’s article called for support for the construction of a suitable new office for the BoG.

In response to Ofori-Atta’s claims, Minority Leader Ato Forson released a statement arguing that the Mahama administration left behind a strong economy.

Forson stated, “The Minister of Finance should not say anywhere again that the NDC administration left behind a derailed IMF programme. Clearly, at the time we were leaving office, there was no monetary finance. For the first time in the history of Ghana, the government did not take money from the central bank even though the law allowed the then administration to take 5% of the previous year’s revenue from the central bank.”

He went on to remind the public that the Mahama administration left a robust economy, highlighting that within the first three months of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government’s term, they were able to secure a $2.25 billion loan from Franklin Templeton.

Forson emphasized that the NDC government performed exceptionally well compared to the current situation under the Akufo-Addo government.

He concluded by stating that the Minority in Parliament believes that Governor Addison and Ken Ofori-Atta will be held accountable for their actions, and history will remember them for taking Ghana to the IMF, while also reiterating their call for the resignation of the BoG Governor.