Press Releases of Wednesday, 27 September 2023

Source: Dieu Media Ghana

Leave finance minister out of your mess – NPP supporters tell Alan

Ken Ofori-Atta, finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta, finance minister

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has cautioned the former Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen, to refrain from unnecessarily attacking the Minister of Finance and concentrate on his personal independent political activism.

Members of the party, in an interview, pointed out that Alan Kyeremateng, throughout his tenure as a Minister of Trade and Industry and a Cabinet Minister, was also a member of the Economic Management Team (EMT) responsible for making decisions on how to manage the economy. They questioned why he would now blame and attack the Finance Minister.

"So why would he accuse the finance minister when he himself was a member of the Economic Management Team that was part of the decision-making process regarding the management of Ghana's economy?" a supporter of the party stated.

It is evident that in recent times, the Finance Minister has been working to improve the situation, and we have seen positive signs of progress. As a party, we will continue to support the Finance Minister in achieving the set economic goals and addressing Ghana's post-COVID and geopolitical economic challenges.

"We must make it clear to Alan Kyerematen that the Finance Minister is not the sole decision-maker for Ghana's economy; it is the Economic Management Team that makes decisions, with the Finance Minister implementing them. So, why would he come and unnecessarily attack the Finance Minister?" he added.

"If he intends to become an independent Presidential Candidate, he should focus on his aspirations and aim to achieve a record that has never been attained in Ghana's political history. After benefiting from the NPP for many years, serving as an ambassador and Minister of Trade, and enjoying associated benefits, he chose to resign from the party. We want him to leave in peace and refrain from attacking the Finance Minister. If he attempts to do so, we will respond in kind."

"It should be noted that Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, in a statement on UTV on Monday, questioned the finance minister's confidence in defending certain decisions, saying, 'Did you hear the Finance Minister, having the confidence to defend it?' This contradicts comments made by Kyerematen in July when he was campaigning to be the NPP's flagbearer in the Greater Accra Region, where he stated that if Ghanaians had listened to him, the country wouldn't have gone to the IMF.

"Where was Alan Kyerematen when the government decided to seek assistance from the IMF? What input or suggestions did he offer in support or otherwise? He was in the government enjoying its privileges while others were working diligently to improve the situation. As a member of the Economic Management Team, he was never known for making any substantial contributions to help turn the economy around," the group stated. "If he chooses to continue in this manner, it will not be in his best interest, as we will be compelled to respond in kind."