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The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has rendered an unqualified apology to Ghanaians over the current economic crisis and hardship facing the country.
Presenting his statement before the Ad-hoc committee on Friday, November 19, 2022, on the back of the motion of censure against him, he described the crisis affecting the population as unfortunate.
“As the person, President Akufo-Addo has put in charge of this economy, I feel the pain personally, professionally and in my soul…I see and feel the terrible impact of rising prices of goods and services on the lives and livelihoods of ordinary Ghanaians, I feel the stress of running a business, but it is the strength and perseverance of the Ghanaian people that inspire me and my colleagues in government every morning”.
“That is what gives me the strength to press on and to find solutions and relief for Ghanaians to the myriad of problems that our country and the rest of the world are facing, especially since March 2020. Co-chairs, let me use this opportunity to say to the Ghanaian people what I believe, with courage, every finance minister around the world, may wish to say to their people now: ‘I am truly sorry”, he said.
He explained that the current hardship was brought about by the global covid-19 pandemic and not as a result of the government’s recklessness and mismanagement as alleged by the Minority caucus.
The embattled Finance Minister argued that in spite of the Covid-19 effects, the government has strived to ensure that Ghanaians have a regular power supply, continue to fix roads and ensure that government workers are consistently paid their salaries.
The MP for Adansi Asokwa K.T. Hammond and Bolgatanga East MP, Dominic Ayine were the co-chairs presiding over the constituted committee’s meetings for the hearing of the finance minister’s case.
Other members of the Committee from the Minority side include MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa; Korle-Klottey MP, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings and Akatsi South MP, Bernard Ahiafor.
The Majority also has on its side the Okaikoi Central MP, Yaw Boamah; Ashanti Akyem Central MP; Emmanuel Anyimadu-Antwi and Sekondi MP, Andrew Egyapa Mercer.
