Kofi Bentil: Ato Forson Yet to Face Major Challenge; DDEP Behind Economic Calm

Kofi Bentil, Vice President of IMANI Africa, has observed that Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has not yet encountered any major challenge in his role, attributing the prevailing calmness in the economy he manages to the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP).

Bentil made these remarks while comparing Dr. Ato Forson to Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia ahead of the 2028 general election. His assessment suggests that the Finance Minister’s relatively smooth tenure thus far may be linked to the effects of the DDEP rather than any extraordinary stewardship of the economy.

The DDEP, a key component of Ghana’s efforts to restructure its debt, has been credited with helping to stabilise the economy and restore a measure of confidence among investors and market watchers. According to Bentil, this programme is the underlying reason for the calm currently observed in the economy under Dr. Ato Forson’s watch.

Bentil’s comparison of the two figures comes as political attention gradually shifts toward the 2028 general election, with discussions emerging about potential candidates and their records. By highlighting the Finance Minister’s untested status, Bentil appears to be drawing a distinction between Dr. Ato Forson’s relatively short and unchallenged tenure and the broader experience of Dr. Bawumia.

The IMANI Africa Vice President’s comments suggest that the true test of the Finance Minister’s capabilities is yet to come, and until he faces a significant challenge, it would be difficult to draw firm conclusions about his performance. He implied that the current economic calm should be understood in the context of the DDEP rather than attributed solely to the Minister’s policies.

Bentil’s remarks add to the growing political discourse about the credentials of key figures ahead of the 2028 election. His comparison of Dr. Ato Forson and Dr. Bawumia is likely to spark debate among political commentators and supporters of both figures.

As the 2028 election approaches, assessments of the records and capabilities of potential candidates will continue to shape public discussion. Bentil’s observation offers one perspective on the Finance Minister’s tenure and the factors behind the current state of the economy.