Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has challenged the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to ensure the return of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to Ghana before seeking another opportunity to govern the country.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday during a tense exchange with Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Mr. Ayariga argued that the opposition party must take responsibility for the actions of its former Finance Minister. His remarks followed reports that lawyers representing Mr. Ofori-Atta had announced that a court in the United States had granted him permanent residency status.
Addressing the House, the Majority Leader maintained that the NPP could not distance itself from Mr. Ofori-Atta, whom it nominated and presented to Parliament for approval as Finance Minister. According to him, the former minister was entrusted with managing the nation’s economy but failed in that responsibility.
Mr. Ayariga accused Mr. Ofori-Atta of mismanaging the economy and questioned why the NPP should be allowed to seek another mandate from Ghanaians without first ensuring his return to the country. He argued that voters should demand accountability from the party for the stewardship of the former minister during its time in office.
The Majority Leader further warned that Ghanaians should make Mr. Ofori-Atta’s return a prerequisite for considering the NPP in future elections. He insisted that the party should not appear before the electorate seeking power again unless it first accounts for the whereabouts of its former Finance Minister and facilitates his return to Ghana.
