‘Ken Ofori-Atta Grew Too Pompous And Even More Powerful Than Akufo-Addo’ – Andy Appiah-Kubi

The outgoing Member of Parliament for Asante Akim North, Andy Appiah-Kubi, has launched a sharp critique of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, accusing him of arrogance and undermining the government’s chain of command. Speaking in an interview on TV3, Appiah-Kubi described the governance structure under Ofori-Atta’s tenure as dysfunctional.

Appiah-Kubi, who spearheaded the #KenMustGo campaign calling for Ofori-Atta’s resignation amidst Ghana’s economic challenges, alleged that the former Minister’s actions sidelined the Economic Management Team (EMT), led by Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

“Part of the reason that we said he must go was that Ken was not responding to advice from even the Economic Management Team,” Appiah-Kubi revealed. “Instead of the Finance Minister answering to the Vice President, the opposite often occurred. Dr. Bawumia was supposed to chair the committee, yet there were instances where he had to go to the Minister’s office, rather than the Minister responding to his summons.”

Appiah-Kubi characterized Ofori-Atta as a “pompous” figure whose influence disrupted the governance hierarchy. “He grew too pompous. When you have a system that has turned upside down like that, you don’t expect the system to generate the required results,” he said.

The MP also accused Ofori-Atta of wielding influence beyond his mandate, even suggesting that the former Minister at times overstepped the authority of President Nana Akufo-Addo. “He was more powerful than Dr. Bawumia, more powerful than even the President. The President would tell him, ‘Go and do this,’ and he’d say, ‘That won’t happen.’”

Recalling a particular incident, Appiah-Kubi said, “He came to our meeting and claimed, ‘I procured this victory.’ I stood up and said, ‘My friend, what are you saying? I didn’t see your hand in the campaign efforts.’” The MP dismissed Ofori-Atta’s assertion that he was solely responsible for the party’s electoral success, insisting that such claims were unfounded.

Despite the strained relationship, Appiah-Kubi commended Vice President Bawumia for his patience and composure. “Let me commend Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for the patience he had. I wouldn’t have survived that kind of treatment,” he said, contrasting Bawumia’s calm demeanor with his own.

Appiah-Kubi lamented the overall state of governance during Ofori-Atta’s tenure, describing it as riddled with disrespect and dysfunction. “The system turned upside down. Disrespect… You don’t expect such a system to deliver the results we need,” he concluded.

Source: GhanaFeed.Com