The Minority Caucus in Ghana’s Parliament has announced its decision to boycott the vetting process for the President’s nominee for the position of Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry.
The Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Ajumako Enyan Essiam Constituency, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, in a statement, attributed the caucus decision to what it describes as the already oversized administration of President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
The Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson also cited the government’s dismal economic performance as the key reason for the Minority Caucus in Parliament’s decision to boycott the vetting of the Deputy Minister-designate for Trade and Industry, Honorable Kofi Ahenkorah Marfo.
“We are again unable to support this nomination by President Akufo-Addo at this time because our country has gone through (and continues to go through) very difficult periods, including the crippling economic crisis, food insecurity, debt default as a result of excessive borrowing, corruption in government and wasteful and reckless expenditures”.
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, Minority Leader and MP Ajumako Enyan Essiam Constituency
The Minority Leader further emphasized that the current economic climate, characterized by businesses relocating due to high taxes and the populace enduring severe financial stress, warrants a reduction in government size rather than expansion.
He expressed disappointment over President Akufo-Addo’s inability to downsize the large size of his government, underscoring the ramifications and the high cost of having a large size of government.
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson vehemently posited that such a move by President Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party administration would demonstrate a genuine understanding of and response to the economic challenges facing the country.
Government’s Insensitvity to Economic Plight
Furthermore, the Member of Parliament for the Ajumako Enyan Essiam Constituency pointed that the decision to nominate additional ministers at this critical juncture reflects a gross insensitivity to the economic plight inflicted upon the citizenry by the New Patriotic Party administration.
“That the President continues to nominate additional ministers to his already large-sized government at this injury time demonstrates a lack of appreciation of the economic mess that his government has unleashed on Ghanaians”.
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, Minority Leader and MP Ajumako Enyan Essiam Constituency
Reiterating the Minority Caucus in Parliament’s earlier stance declared on May 17, 2024, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, the leader of the National Democratic Congress Caucus in Parliament emphasized the Caucus’s resolve not to support the vetting of the Deputy Minister-designate for Trade and Industry, Honorable Kofi Ahenkorah Marfo.
The former Deputy Minister of Finance under the previous National Democratic Congress’s administration under former President John Dramani Mahama indicated that the caucus decision is particularly in conformity to its long-standing commitment to serve in the interest of Ghanaians.
The Minority Leader expressed deep concern over the financial ramifications of an enlarged government and the burden it places on the already suffering Ghanaian populace.
He added that the Minority Caucus could not in good conscience support the vetting of a new deputy minister, bearing in mind the cost it would impose on the country’s finances.
“We will not, and cannot, take part in a decision to further burden the already suffering Ghanaian, especially when the president is unmindful of the financial consequences of his bloated government”.
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, Minority Leader and MP Ajumako Enyan Essiam Constituency
He underscored the need for more prudent economic management to address the current administration’s handling of the country’s economy.
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