IMANI showdown: Franklin Cudjoe, Kofi Bentil clash over Ato Forson and Ofori-Atta’s performance

The disagreement stems from comments by Kofi Bentil, who argued that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta performed better than Dr Ato Forson during their respective first two years in office.

Kofi Bentil acknowledged that Dr Ato Forson was doing well in managing Ghana’s economy but maintained that two years was not enough to make a definitive judgment on his overall performance.

He argued that comparing the first two years of both ministers’ tenures provided a fair basis for assessing their records, arguing that Ofori-Atta had performed better during the same period.

Speaking on TV3 on November 14, 2026, Kofi Bentil argued, “The first two years of Ato Forson compared to the first two years of Ofori-Atta, Ofori-Atta did better. Ato is a fantastic minister, but two years is not enough to call finality on anybody’s record. Dear Ato, don’t be sidetracked; focus on what you have to do”.

Nevertheless, Franklin Cudjoe strongly challenged his vice president’s assessment, questioning how Ofori-Atta could be considered a better-performing Finance Minister during his first two years in office.

Franklin Cudjoe, in a social media post, sarcastically suggested that if Ofori-Atta had performed so well, Kofi Bentil should encourage him to return to Ghana and continue the work he had started.

According to Mr Cudjoe, Kofi Bentil’s assessment was false, arguing that the economic circumstances under the Akufo-Addo administration were significantly different from those inherited by the current government.

He highlighted that President Mahama did not inherit an economy with the challenges experienced under the previous administration, particularly regarding Ghana’s credit rating, savings and investments.

“So that is why you should encourage Ken to come back and continue his wonderful work. The statement is heavily false, though! JM did not leave behind a junk-rated economy, and certainly our savings and investments were not pickpocketed by government,” he wrote.

Franklin Cudjoe further credited Dr Ato Forson with reducing Ghana’s debt burden.

He cited improvements in Ghana’s debt-to-GDP ratio, lending rates and inflation as evidence of his performance.

He further detailed that Ato Forson has achieved a significant reduction in the country’s debt within a relatively short period, contrasting the current economic indicators with those recorded under the previous NPP administration.

“Ato cleared the monstrous debt iceberg ever left by a previous government, the NPP, in record time. He is the only known finance minister to have in a single year reduced Ghana’s debt from 65% of GDP to 45% GDP”.

“Today, lending rates are 15%, half of what it was under the NPP, and the inflation rate is 5%, when it was 10 times higher at 54%. It is clear as day and night,” he added.

Some netizens reacting to Franklin Cudjoe’s post stated, “Call Kofi Bentil to order; he is becoming junk like the NPP economy of 8 years”.

A netizen added, “The real test of Ato Forson is not when things are going well; it is when the unexpected happens or if he can steer clear of it ever happening. When that time comes, then I will have my say; until then, let him enjoy his moments”

“What’s happening to the leadership of IMANI? Don’t you hold regular meetings to stay on the page in the public’s eye?

Must you bring your disagreements to the media space? What happened to prudent corporate governance?

Is the think tank no longer thinking?” an X user added.

Another Ghanaian added, “Indeed, you have shown that you are not an irresponsible father that you watch your children to fool and make unnecessary noise around. You make sure you put them on the right track (way) that they cannot depart when going forward; such a great father you be”.

“Thanks Efo Cudjoe for your insightful exposé of @kbentil. I don’t know but you might wanna check up on your friend to see what’s happening with him o cuz the kind of things he’s been saying lately in the media de3 hmmm…”, an X user added.

A netizen added, “The shamelessness of NPP doesn’t even intrigue me anymore; it’s the guts they have to tell blatant lies that puts me off. Can we skip to ‘28 already???”

One last X user added, “Mr Cudjoe, please, some of us learn from your analysis. And sometimes it hurts to see you putting false information out there. Yes, inflation, lending rate and debt to GDP ratio have improved under Ato’s administration but not from the figures you put it out there”.