In response to mounting calls for a shake-up, President Akufo-Addo made significant changes to his ministerial team in a dramatic cabinet reshuffle.
On Wednesday, February 14, 2024, the Presidency released a statement in which President Akufo-Addo dismissed Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta from office.
This comes after the public has been calling for Mr. Ofori-Atta to be fired for months due to the dire circumstances facing the Ghanaian economy. In 2023, a faction of NPP lawmakers spearheaded the demands for the Finance Minister’s dismissal.
After securing an external loan facility from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Minister will present their request to President Akufo-Addo for consideration.
Unverified sources suggest that the Finance Minister was fired after being removed, presumably to make room for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the NPP flagbearer, to be appointed as his running mate.
“Will you believe me if I tell you that Ken Ofori-Atta will be Dr. Bawumia’s running mate?” As for the announcement, hold off,” a user enquired.
Not long after Dr. Bawumia was chosen as the NPP’s flagbearer in November 2023, a list allegedly revealing the names of candidates vying for vice president surfaced on social media.
Names including Chief of Staff Frema Opare, Minister of Roads Kwasi Amoako Atta, Minister of Communications Ursula Owusu, Minister of Energy Matthew Opoku Prempeh (Napo), and Minister of Education Yaw Osei Adutwum were among those on the unconfirmed compilation.
Before the general elections of 2024, Dr. Bawumia has not yet revealed the identity of his running mate—more than two months have passed.
Many have been in favor of a Bawumia-Napo ticket in order to help the NPP win a sizable majority of votes in their heartland, the Ashanti Region.
There are reports that President Nana Akufo-Addo is under pressure from within the party to approve Energy Minister Matthew Opoku Prempeh as Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s preferred running partner.
The president is reportedly addressing increasing concerns from within the NPP for a potential ministerial overhaul ahead of the 2018 elections, according to Bright Simons, Vice President of IMANI Africa.
Discussions concerning possible changes to important posts within the government have been triggered by the situation.
