Former president John Dramani Mahama has welcomed government’s decision to turn to the International Monetary Fund for a program to turn around the Ghanaian economy.
The former president said though the government delayed in taking the decision to go to the IMF for support, it should mark an important step towards addressing the economic challenges of the country.
“Though belated, it should mark an important step towards addressing the dire economic situation, which has left Ghanaians wallowing under intense suffering and hardships.”
The former president in his first reaction since government announced that it has asked the Finance Minister to begin negotiations with the IMF for a program, warned president Nana Addo not to include the Finance Minister in the negotiation team that will engage the IMF because he has lost trust and confidence of stakeholders.
“The Finance Minister who has supervised the disastrous collapse of the economy cannot and should not be part of the team of negotiators. He has lost credibility and the trust and confidence of stakeholders in our economy.”
John Mahama also called on government to replace the finance minister, Ken Offori-Atta with more competent hands.
” President Akufo-Addo must take a bold decision to replace his finance minister immediately with a more assured and competent person who is willing and able to work tirelessly to turn our almost hopeless situation around.”
The Ministry of Information announced yesterday, the 1st July, 2022, that the president of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has directed the Finance Minister, Mr. Ken Offori-Atta, to formally engage the IMF to support an economic program put together by the government.
Ghana went to the IMF in 2015 for a support program which ended in 2017 and was extended to 2019 by the current administration. It will be the 17th time that the people of Ghana will seek the support of the IMF for a support to stabilise an ailing economy.
By: Simon Agana Blessing/mywordfmonline.com