Economist Kwame Pianim has cast doubt on the Finance Minister’s ability to have a better negotiation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
He took a swipe at Ken Ofori-Atta, saying he may be pushed to sign an agreement he [the Finance Minister] does not believe in.
The earlier position of Mr Ofori-Atta that the country was not going to the Fund for a bailout defeats the current negotiations he is leading, Mr Pianim said on JoyNews’ UpFront on Thursday, October 27.
“It is either we face the crisis with the sense of urgency that it demands. It is not one person holding a position or not. If you don’t believe in going to the IMF, how can you negotiate for us?”
The economist claimed in the interview that the IMF negotiations are going “badly” because Mr Ofori-Atta is faltering with it.
He believes by December, 2022, “our currency might have melted down beyond reverse” and it is a reason the Finance Minister must resign as soon as possible for someone else to take over.
“Those of you who are young, it means there would price controls on key elements… this is not what we want,” he added.
According to him, “Ken has done well, there are 32 million of us” so President Akufo-Addo must urgently appoint a new person who has the capability to turn things around than wait till the country concludes talks with the Fund.
In his view, appointing a new Finance Minister after the presentation of the 2023 budget may not help matter because the new person to take over “may also have his own views.”
“So let’s be serious and tackle the problem with the sense of urgency that it requires.”
Calls for the sacking and resignation of Ken Ofori-Atta have heightened over the past few days. The latest to join the demands are the 95 New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament.
They said the continuous stay in office of Ken Ofori-Atta is what has been delaying the IMF bailout the country is seeking because the minister has lost credibility.
They petitioned the president over the matter but later agreed to allow the minister finish the ongoing IMF talks before he leaves office.
