Ghanaian financier and economist, Kwame Pianim, has criticized the appointment of former finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta as a Senior Presidential Adviser and Special Envoy for International Trade by President Akufo-Addo.
During an interview on the Joy News’ AM Show, Mr Pianim, a leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), disapproved of the recent appointment, stating that it has undermined the positive reception of the ministerial reshuffle.
“Ken Ofori-Atta going is good for the optics. But the person who led us into the financial and economic crisis that we are in, we haven’t been here before….,” Mr. Pianim said. “There has never been a time where Ghana has not been able to pay its bills and we are not going to start paying them until 2025 and this is the same guy who gets us kicked out of the Eurobond market, how can he be an envoy?”
Mr. Pianim indicated that the appointment was unnecessary and further advocated for a reduction in the number of presidential staff.
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“We don’t have an economy now, so what is he going to advise on? Too many people are walking around the Presidency. Let’s remove them. Both governments when they come, they remove a minister and he becomes a special advisor at the presidency. We don’t want that,” Mr Pianim added.
He also expressed his dissatisfaction with the resignation of Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu as Majority Leader in Parliament. According to Mr. Pianim, the Suame MP should have been allowed to manage Parliament and connect MPs with other party groups in the party ahead of the 2024 elections.
“I am saddened. I think he should have been left there to manage Parliament and also lead the Parliamentary group to join forces with the presidential group of the party and then the party itself that is the chairman and his group and the leader of the party that is the flagbearer,” he stated.
After months of calls for his resignation, Mr Ofori-Atta was relieved of his position as Finance Minister as part of a major ministerial reshuffle on Wednesday, February 14, and replaced with Mohammed Amin Adam.
Subsequently, the Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare in a statement dated February 15, announced the new role of the former Finance Minister as a Senior Presidential Adviser Trade to President Akufo Addo and Special Envoy for International Trade.