Mahama fires Ofori-Atta for ‘reckless’ borrowing

The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) John Dramani Mahama has accused Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta of borrowing recklessly.

In the view of Mr Mahama, the Finance Minister and President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo plunged the country into a severe economic crisis with his borrowing.

He said these while interacting with members of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in Accra on Tuesday, November 7.

Mr Mahama said “[The President] has run out of ideas on how to solve the economic challenges we find ourselves in. By his recent declaration, his focus and last energy are going to be expended on installing his anointed successor as the next president.”

He further accused Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Ata of excessive borrowing, leading to the problems Ghana is facing.

In his view, the economic crisis could have been avoided if the Finance Minister had not embarked on ‘reckless ‘ borrowing.

He said “We could have avoided this unpleasant [economic] situation, the signs of these crises were there for all to see…conflicted Finance Minister, whose interest was to borrow recklessly and mire our economy in the quagmire of debt was obvious as far as from 2019.”

For his part, the Secretary General of the Ghana Trades Union Congress (TUC), Dr Anthony Yaw Baah lauded what he calls the “game changer” policy proffered by Mr Mahama in creating jobs for the teeming unemployed youth.

Mr Mahama had proposed a 24-hour economy, which would see workers engaged in a three-shift system.

“We are also very interested and eager to know more about his great idea of a 24-hour economy,” Dr Yaw Baah intimated ahead of the former president’s address.

“I think this one, Comrade, you have to take your time because I can imagine the amount of jobs that this kind of thing will create.

“That could be the game-changer. I am telling you. That you have opportunity in this country to work 24 hours, 3 shifts.

“So, if you don’t get job in the morning, you can get it in the afternoon or in the night,” he noted.

Dr Yaw Baah charged the youth to get ready for jobs with this policy by the NDC ahead of the 2024 elections.

“I think and I mean it, that this is a great idea that was lying somewhere and never discovered and we will be eager to hear a lot more about it.”

He also presented TUC’s manifesto to the former president.