Kenneth Ofori-Atta, Minister for Finance and caretaker Minister for Trade and Industry, on Friday, January 13, 2023, paid a visit to the headquarters of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
His visit was a response to the Party-Government Engagements initiative introduced by the leadership of the Party, aimed at bridging the gap between government appointees and various stakeholders of the party.
He was warmly received by the national executives of the party led by Chairman Stephen Ayesu Ntim. In his welcome address, Mr. Ntim.
Party disclosed that the Party-Government Engagements was introduced due to the urgent need for broader collaboration between government appointees and Party stakeholders in preparation for the 2024 general polls.
In his opening address, Hon. Ofori-Atta admitted that Ghana was plaqued with difficult socioeconomic conditions in 2022, as skyrocketing inflation and high interest rates triggered a cost of living crisis. He, however, noted that the Ministry of Finance is determined to achieve macroeconomic stabilisation to provide an enabling environment for businesses to thrive and also enhance the living conditions of the general populace.
He recounted the unprecedented economic feat in the first term of the Akufo-Addo administration which made Ghana one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Hon. Ofori-Atta noted that the socioeconomic foundation that was laid by the Akufo-Addo administration was intended to usher Ghana into a new dawn of sustainable economic growth and prosperity. He, however, observed that the devastating and lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war on the local economy have occasioned challenges for businesses and individuals alike. He assured that government is determined to get the economy back on track, and rallied the leadership of the Party to support government’s remedial interventions at reviving the economy.
He asserted that government’s Extended Credit Facility agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) would energise and stabilise the local economy. Moreover, he assured the leadership of the Party that government has no intention to cancel the flagship Free Senior High School Programme as it remains an important social safety net to majority of Ghanaians.
The General Secretary also used the occasion to bring to the attention of the Finance Minister concerns expressed by Ghanaians particularly individual bond holders regarding the Debt Exchange Programme. He said, the party leadership continues to be inundated with these concerns and appealed to the Finance Minister to take a critical look at the policy and explore the possibility of exempting holders of smaller bonds particularly pensioners.
In his concluding remarks, the Hon Minister for Finance thanked the Party leadership for the warm reception, and commended them for their wise Hon. Ofori-Atta concluded his remarks by urging the Party leadership to put in place adequate guidelines to ensure a smooth conduct of its Parliamentary and Presidential primaries as that is critical to the Party’s quest to win a-third consecutive general elections (break the eight).
Hon. Kenneth Ofori-Atta was hosted by National Executives of the Party led by Mr. Stephen Ayesu Ntim, National Chairman and Lawyer Justin Kodua Frimpong, General Secretary. Other national executives in attendance were Madam Rita Asobayire, National Second Vice Chairperson; Alhaji Masawudu Osman, National Third Vice Chairperson; Dr. Charles Dwamena, National Treasurer; Mr. Henry Nana Boakye, National Organiser; Alhaji Aziz Haruna Futa, Nasara Coordinator; Dr. Antoinette Tsibu Darko, Deputy General Secretary; Mr. Haruna Mohammed, Deputy General Secretary; Mr. William Yamoah, Director for Finance and Administration; Mr. Richard Ahiagbah, Director for Communications and Mr. Kwame Kyeretwie-Amponsah, Director for External Affairs.