<\/p>\n
The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta has stated that he feels the pains Ghanaians are enduring in the wake of current economic hardships.<\/p>\n
Ghanaians are faced with an economic crisis with a downturn of the cedi, continued rise in fuel prices and astronomical increase in prices of goods and services.<\/p>\n
The Akufo-Addo-led government has come under heavy criticism over these economic hardships, with a number of Ghanaians demanding the removal of the Finance Minister from office.<\/p>\n
But appearing before an ad-hoc committee tasked by the Speaker of Parliament to probe allegations levelled against him, Ofori-Atta explained that the government never envisaged that the global pandemic will have such a huge adverse effect on the economy.<\/p>\n
Mr. Ofori-Atta apologised to Ghanaians for the economic pressures they are enduring, assuring that, they are working around the clock to change the fortunes of the country.<\/p>\n
He said despite the economic challenges, the government continues to pay salaries and provide the needed social amenities.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday, l acknowledge our economy is facing difficulties and the people of Ghana are enduring hardships. I feel the pain personally, and professionally in my soul. I see and feel the terrible impact of rising prices of goods on the livelihoods of ordinary Ghanaians. I am truly sorry\u2026 We never imagined that the global pandemic such as Covid-19 with its prolonged economic fallouts will inflict such pain and suffering upon the Ghanaian people. A shock to our system has been hard and the impact on our livelihoods has been severe, but we have not been resting on our oars\u201d.<\/p>\n
The Minister has been accused of gross mismanagement of the economy, conflict of interest among others.<\/p>\n