Ken Ofori-Atta has over-borrowed with no value for money – Kwame Pianim
Efforts of renowned economist and member of the New Patriotic Party Mr Kwame Pianim to communicate with the current Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta over the economic situation Ghana is faced with has caused friction between him and the Minister as he complains that Mr Ofori-Atta does not pick his call.
The astute investment consultant has lashed out at the Finance Minister accusing him of badly managing the economy and borrowing more than all his predecessors.
“He has over-borrowed [and we are not getting value for money,” Mr Pianim stated during an interview.
“And he needs to realize that he is not just a budget and expenditure minister, he is Minister for Finance. Finance means growing the economy.”
He criticized the Electronics Transactions Levy, widely known as E-levy in the 2022 budget, stating that it is a wrong move to raise funds for infrastructure and, therefore, must be abandoned.
“We have to go back to the basics. This expenditure, what is it on it for? Do we get value for money?”
When asked why he would not make his suggestions available to the government given his membership of the ruling NPP, the former board chairman of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) revealed that Mr Ofori-Atta does not pick his calls.
“The Finance Minister doesn’t take my phone calls,” he remonstrated. “The Deputy [Finance Minister] took. I reached out. I talked to the President.”
He confirmed that about three weeks ago, he reached out to the President, whom he exonerates as picking his calls but “he is very busy”.
“Finance Minister doesn’t take my phone calls. Even when I reached out to his Personal Assistants to book an appointment, he doesn’t give me an appointment. They know what they are doing,” he fumed.
By: Stella Annan | myactiveonline.com Twitter @activetvgh
