It is reported that there is a growing strain in the relationship between Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.
According to The Herald, information from insiders within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) points to management of Ghana’s economy as the reason for the rift.
The Herald reports that the two high-ranking officials are engaged in persistent disagreements over economic policies.
Despite their close understanding, reports suggest that the Finance Minister does not consistently attend Economic Management Team meetings chaired by Dr. Bawumia. When present, he is said to arrive late or act contrary to the team’s decisions.
The ongoing conflict between the Vice-President and the Finance Minister has left insiders perplexed, questioning why the President has not taken action, especially with a looming general election this year, the Herald says.
The government is facing internal unrest, notably regarding the Finance Minister’s implementation of a 15% Value Added Tax (VAT) on electricity consumers to boost revenue for the COVID-19 recovery program.
Member of Parliament for Akim Abuakwa South, Atta Akyea, has urged the Finance Minister to consider stepping down for his well-being and the benefit of the government. Calls for Ofori-Atta’s resignation have been growing amid the country’s economic challenges.
Atta-Akyea went further, stating that Ofori-Atta’s resignation might even contribute to calmer waters for both the government and the nation.
“He should look at himself and look at all the troubles that everybody believes that I mean when he is not there then the nation will have peace, if that is what is the thinking of the people, I will advise myself. He should save himself and save the government and have his peace because he needs it, a man cannot be troubled in the manner in which he has been troubled,” Mr Atta Akyea said.
Surprisingly, influential figure Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, a cousin of President Akufo-Addo, reportedly supports the idea of the Finance Minister leaving the government.
The NPP general secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua, has also called on ministers, CEOs, and MMDCEs experiencing fatigue to resign rather than undermine the party’s progress.
tigpost.co