Founder and President of Group Nduom, Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom claims President Akufo-Addo regrets working with former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.
He stated that the President believed Mr Ofori-Atta was the best candidate for the role, but this did not materialise after he was given the opportunity to serve as the country’s finance minister.
Papa Kwesi further alleged that the President appointed his cousin to the finance ministry because he (Ofori-Atta) helped raise funds for the NPP’s 2016 and 2020 election campaigns.
“He is the one the President trusted to raise money for his campaigns, and then when they won power, they entrusted him with running the economy. This has proven the old saying that it’s not necessarily those who help bring you to power who will make you successful once you get there,” he claimed.
“I believe the President has regretted the decision to place our economy in the hands of the investment analyst who became Finance Minister, Mr Ofori-Atta,” he added.
Papa Kwesi also claimed that the country’s financial sector was “set on the path of destruction.”
He stated that the “owners” of the economy needed to be held accountable, even criminalised.
Many people, especially members of opposition parties, have blamed the former Finance Minister for mismanaging the country’s economy.
According to recent research and analysis, Ghana’s economy has suffered a significant decline in recent years.
The World Bank also reports that the country faced a surge in public debt due to fiscal measures taken in response to external shocks, which resulted in losing access to international financial markets. This led to debt distress, dwindling international reserves, and escalating inflation.
Dr Nduom is not contesting in this year’s election. His primary concern, he says, is ensuring that the Ghanaian populace is able to find jobs and become self-sufficient, which is why he continues to raise these issues.
He mentioned this in his Live Facebook interaction on Wednesday, a weekly programme he entitled "Disappointed but not Discouraged".
Credit: Albert Kuzor