The Alliance For Footsoldiers Advocacy (AFFA) has criticized the recent appointment of embattled Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta as “Senior Presidential Advisor and Special Envoy for International Finance and Private Sector Investment.”
The advocacy group in a press statement contended that the appointment, viewed as a face-saving measure, is detrimental to the nation’s interests.
While recognizing the President’s executive authority to make appointments, AFFA emphasized the importance of refraining from arbitrary and capricious exercises of power.
“The Alliance For Footsoldiers Advocacy (AFFA) is scandalized by the latest appointment of embattled Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta as “Senior Presidential Advisor and Special Envoy for International Finance and Private Sector Investment.”
Inasmuch as the President of the Republic is clothed with the executive authority to appoint persons he deems fit into his govemment, it is equally important that, he refrains from exer- cising that power arbitrarily and capriciously,” parts of the statement read.
Ofori-Atta’s performance as Finance Minister, particularly in the post-COVID-19 era, has raised concerns, with the Ghanaian people expressing dissatisfaction and even condemnation from MPs within his own party, the NPP.
The advocacy group argued that, given the economic challenges facing the nation, appointing Ofori-Atta to this advisory role sends the wrong message to the electorate.
According to them, it is viewed as a disregard for public sentiment and a potential impediment to the NPP’s efforts to secure an eighth consecutive term.
In a strongly-worded statement, AFFA calls on all party members and sympathizers to unite in demanding the revocation of Ofori-Atta’s appointment.
The group asserts that this move is necessary to safeguard the party’s reputation and to avoid complicating the upcoming campaign for the new Flagbearer.
“It is needless to say that Ken Ofori-Atta’s performance as Finance Minister post COVID-19 has been questionable, and the least the Ghanaian people expect is for him to step aside from the economic decisions of the country as pertains in other jurisdictions. Ken Ofori-Atta remains the only Finance Minister, at least in the Fourth Republic, who has received public condemnation from MPs of his own party (NPP).
“Appointing him to this novel position, albeit advisory, amid our current economic challenges is nothing but a slap in the faces of the Ghanaian electorates. Mr. President, with all due respect, it is about time you listened to the sentiments of the electorates in whose name you exercise your presidential powers in order not to make the campaign difficult for our new Flagbearer,” it added.
The advocacy group concluded its statement with a plea to the President to heed the sentiments of the electorate, whose trust and support he depends on in exercising presidential powers. AFFA emphasizes that the Ghanaian people have had enough of Ken Ofori-Atta and calls for his removal from the advisory position.
“The Ghanaian people have had enough of Ken Ofori-Atta! AFFA calls on all well-meaning party members and sympathizers to join the call to get Ken Ofori-Atta out of this latest appointment as it is counterproductive to the NPP’s strive in breaking the 8,” it concluded.
