The Majority leader in parliament who doubles as Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Hon Osei Kyei-Mensah Bonsu, has stated that President Akufo Addo did not categorically say he will dismiss Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta and his deputy, Charles Adu Boahen, after the International Monetary Fund(IMF) negotiations and the reading of the 2023 budget and appropriation.
According to him, while the President’s statement is open for interpretation, he had not categorically stated that he would sack the Finance Minister and the Minister of State at the Finance Ministry.
“The President did not say that. Let me quote his exact words, he said: ‘let’s finish with this, the IMF and the budget thereafter, we should hold on until after these‘.”
“I will act may not necessarily mean that I will do that. According to what the President told us, it means we should hold on until the deal is done. So it could be that he will come back to consider it or he will give in to our demands.”
Osei Kyei Mensah
Speaking on the ‘PM Express’ show, Hon Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu disclosed that the plea by Akuffo Addo was for the 80 Members of Parliament from the majority caucus who want Ofori Atta sacked, to wait for sometime, specifically until the IMF negotiations are done as well as the reading of the 2023 budget.
“The plea was hold on until after these events, the IMF discussions and the budget. In fact I even added when there appeared to be some unclarity about what happens after the presentation of the budget, I said no; if the budget is presented by a person, you’d require that same person to shepherd the appropriations.”
Osei Kyei Mensah
However, he indicated that the MPs are still being engaged on the matter as they are still interested in letting the Finance Minister go.
“We’ll continue to engage and I believe we’ll find an amicable resolution to this.”
Osei Kyei Mensah
This follows a call by 80 New Patriotic Party MPs who are demanding the immediate dismissal of the Finance Minister.
According to the MPs, the continual stay of Ken Ofori Atta in office is delaying the IMF bailout the country is seeking due to the fact that the Minister has lost all credibility.
They petitioned the President to either remove him or face a boycott in Parliament.
The President, however, appealed to them for more time for the Finance Minister to conclude negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) before any talks of resignation or dismissal.
Wealthy Businessman Tried To Change The minds Of The MP
Hon Kyei Mensah Bonsu revealed that a wealthy businessman tried to Change the mind of the Majority MPs who are calling for the dismissal of the finance minister and his deputy.
This revelation is coming on the back of a warning by the spokesperson of the Majority MPs who want Ken ofori Atta out, that any attempt to Change their stance will be resisted.
“I am told that a businessman came to where we were having the cabinet meeting and tried to do something. He is a business man that I Know but I have not spoken to since this issue came up. I’m told he came to mediate in his own way but was asked by the people not to involve himself.”
Hon Kyei Mensah Bonsu
However, he disclosed that he would want to talk to the man to know his motive as he does not want to presume he was sent by Ken Ofori Atta.
