A leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Konadu Apraku, says he would have terminated the appointment of Ken Ofori-Atta as the Finance Minister if he were the President of the country.
Mr. Konadu Apraku said he would have heeded to the calls from some aggrieved NPP Members of Parliament who have been pushing for the removal of the Finance Minister over the economic turmoil
Nana Akufo-Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has refused to fire Mr. Ofori-Atta, despite pressure from NPP MPs in October 2022 to oust his Finance Minister for mismanaging the economy.
During a meeting with the MPs, the President negotiated with them to give him some time to act on their demands.
Speaking on GTV on Monday, February 13, 2023, the two-time NPP flagbearer aspirant stated categorically that he would have shown Mr. Ofori-Atta the exit door if he was at the helm of affairs.
“If I were the President [Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo], I would have listened to the MPs and sacked Ofori-Atta,” Mr. Konadu Apraku said.
“In politics, you have to be sensitive to public opinion. Sometimes, it may not be the truth, but that is the sentiments, and the sentiments of the people need to be examined, and acted upon if it is possible. It’s a great deal for the NPP MPs to come out there to say they don’t want our Finance Minister, their own Finance Minister that they have worked with in the past,” Dr. Apraku stated.
“In democracy, we have to be sensitive to the people. Lack of action exacerbates the problem, so you cut it off and cut your losses and I would have cut my losses and said please you have done enough, the environment is hostile to you so go. I would have changed him”.
Meanwhile, the former Minister for Trade and Industry in the John Agyekum Kufuor government believes he stands very tall amongst all the aspirants vying for the NPP presidential race.
He added that he is the best person to lead the party on the flagbearership ticket in the run-up to the 2024 polls.
“I’m confident that my old experience is what is prevailing. I have a lot of experience, I think I’m in a better position than ever before to win this election and lead this country. I stand very tall amongst all the aspirants, my experience is overwhelming. I have practical experience in managing economies, and dealing with current problems. Furthermore, I believe I have a better chance than anybody in this race to win. The taste of the pudding is in the eating,” he told Citi Tv in a January 2023 interview.
By: Bernard Ralph Adams | Metrotvon;ine.com | Ghana
