Mr Kyerematen has categorically rejected the claim that he bears responsibility for the economic challenges under the Nana Addo-Bawumia administration, a claim he believes is aimed at insulating Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia from growing criticism.

Kyei Mensah Bonsu had attempted to shift the blame for the nation’s economic struggles by suggesting that the Cabinet Economic subcommittee, chaired by Mr Kyerematen, held more influence than Dr Bawumia’s Economic Management Team (EMT).

In a scathing rebuttal, Alan Kyerematen dismissed these assertions as a desperate attempt to distort the truth, explaining that Cabinet subcommittees, including the Economic Committee, wield no power relative to decision-making.

He further clarified that Cabinet subcommittees merely prepare proposals for the full Cabinet, where decisions are made collectively.

Mr Kyerematen highlighted key principles of governance – collective responsibility and individual accountability, arguing that it is disingenuous to hold him responsible for the failures of other government officials, including the Finance Minister.

He pointed to his successful tenure as Trade and Industry Minister, particularly the achievements of the One District, One Factory (1D1F) initiative, Business Resource Centres, the Ghana Automotive Development Industry, and the AfCFTA initiative, among others, as evidence of his competence and effectiveness.

In support of Mr Kyerematen’s assertion that Vice President Bawumia has been in charge from day one, it is important to note a previous statement made by Senior Presidential Advisor Yaw Osafo Maafo, who publicly praised Dr Bawumia for the economy’s successes during better times.

“This raises the question: if Bawumia was celebrated for his leadership when the economy was thriving, why is he now being shielded from accountability as the economic situation deteriorates? Truth be told, the presidency is made up of the President and Vice President.”

The two swear to be ultimately responsible for whatever happens in the country. Therefore, the Vice President can’t have his cake and eat it.”

Furthermore, the glaring disparity in government support between Alan Kyerematen’s 1D1F programme and Dr Bawumia’s Nation Builders Corps (NABCO) initiative brings to the fore the real power dynamics in economic management.

While the 1D1F programme, which created 170,000 permanent jobs, received only GHC 400 million, NABCO, providing 100,000 temporary jobs, was allocated nearly GHC 4 billion. This significant imbalance in resource allocation strongly suggests that Bawumia had far greater control over economic decisions than Mr Kyerematen.

Additionally, a pivotal moment in 2021 offers further evidence of Mr Kyerematen’s limited influence in economic management. When Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta was unavailable due to health issues, Mr Kyerematen was initially set to present the national budget.

However, due to internal party politics, the responsibility was instead given to Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu. This incident further undermines the narrative that Mr Kyerematen held significant sway in the economic management of the Nana Addo-Bawumia administration.

The forthrightness of Alan Kyerematen’s responses during the discussion left many of the youth participants questioning the NPP’s decision to elevate Dr Bawumia, who has clearly failed in his economic management role, over a brilliant and accomplished leader like Mr Kyerematen, who has demonstrated a proven track record of success.

This growing sentiment among the youth could have significant implications for the upcoming elections, as the youth gravitate towards Mr Kyerematen’s youth-centered policy prescriptions on youth development and job creation.

Source: James Kumi-Korsah (Afrafranto Alliance)

ALSO READ:

• Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu reveals how he vouched for Alan as NPP running mate [Listen]

This comes as the Suame legislator bows out of the house’s leadership.

Earlier today, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) announced his new role as the Chairman of the party’s 2024 Election Manifesto Committee.

Subsequently, Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu announced his resignation after the party formally wrote to the Speaker of Parliament about the move following a meeting in Accra.

Addressing Parliament after Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsuu’s exit speech, Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson eulogised the outgoing Majority Leader for what he described as selfless leadership.

Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has vast experience in the affairs of Parliament and has been at the party’s helm for nearly two decades.

For that reason, Dr. Forson called on him to support the House with his institutional knowledge and skills in conducting government business.

ALSO READ:

• Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu formally announces resignation as Majority Leader

• Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu will be fondly missed as Majority Leader – Minority Leader

This comes after Mr Bagbin directed that the workshop be held in Parliament.

The Speaker gave the directive after Members of Parliament were divided on whether to go to Rock City Hotel or Volta Serene Hotel for the workshop.

Reacting to this, the Suame Member of Parliament (MP) indicated the venue was not entirely a decision of the Speaker.

According to him, he[Kyei-Mensa] proposed that hosting the exercise in Accra will help save cost considering the current economic situation.

“I am not really concerned about the venue all that matters to me is to get a place for the workshop,” he said on Accra-based Neat FM.

This he noted was seconded by Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson and subsequently ruled on by Speaker Bagbin.

He, however lamented the workshop may not effective as it should be when held in Accra.

“When it is held in Accra, the MPs do not come. It is not effective because constituents can troop in to make demands,” he bemoaned.

MPs will embark on a post-budget workshop to deliberate on the 2024 budget which will be presented by Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta on Wednesday November 15, 2023.

MPs will critically study it to enable them sufficiently debate it.

ALSO READ:

• Hold post 2024 Budget workshop in Parliament – Bagbin

• We’ll scrutinise 2024 budget – Minority

• Parliament sets date for 2024 budget presentation

He said this would help to find answers to some nagging questions and find ways to avoid similar occurrences from happening in the future.

The VRA began the controlled water spillage from the Akosombo and Kpong Dams on September 15, 2023, due to a consistent rise in the inflow pattern and water level of the Akosombo reservoir.

Thousands of residents in South Tongu, North Tongu, Central Tongu, Asuogyaman, and several other areas had their homes submerged due to the spillage.

The authority announced the conclusion of the controlled spilling of the Akosombo dam on Tuesday, October 31, 2023.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said, “I believe we may need to find some answers to some questions, and I guess the speaker is not yet here, but when the speaker comes, we will have some discussions with him, and I believe it will be important for us to invite VRA to come and fully brief the house about what has happened, the repercussions, and how to avoid any future events.”

The Majority Leader’s call comes as the country continues to grapple with the aftermath of the Akosombo dam spillage.

Many displaced residents are still struggling to rebuild their lives, and there are concerns about the long-term impact of the spillage on the environment and the economy.

ALSO READ:

• VRA ends Akosombo Dam spillage

• Akosombo dam spillage: Zoomlion sets records straight on fumigation exercise

• Akosombo dam spillage victims need alternative housing – Okudzeto Ablakwa

The Suame Member of Parliament (MP) said as a party seeking to retain power, it will be prudent to ensure a united front.

“I think that every effort must be made, even if it’s a one per cent possibility. Let’s see what will come out of it. We are talking about Alan’s situation, where we are saying that let’s still engage if he will come back. To now go into specifics will be a difficulty, it may hamper the reconciliation I’m suggesting.”

“It’s possible to bring him back,” the Majority Leader said in an interview on Accra-based TV3. 

Alan Kyerematen resigned from the governing New Patriotic Party citing ill-treatment, and declared to run as an independent candidate in Ghana’s 2024 presidential election.

The independent presidential hopeful believes he is a man of his word, hence Ghanaians would have a better leader if he is given the mandate.

ALSO READ:

• Movement for Change has given Ghanaians hope – Alan Kyerematen

• Attack on UTV a violation of freedom of the media – Alan Kyerematen

• Dollar will chase the cedi under my leadership – Alan Kyerematen

According to him, the Minority has already formed a negative judgment about the Governor following its #OccupyBoG demonstration.

The Majority leader suggested that, the opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) could have opted to invite the Governor for a parliamentary session to address concerns related to the new headquarters building and the reported GH¢60.8 billion loss instead of resorting to a demonstration.

The Minority has been demanding the resignation of Dr. Addison and his two deputies over allegations of mismanagement.

Initially, they had given the three officials 21 days to step down but later resorted to street protests, marching to the Central Bank’s headquarters to physically demand their resignation.

But, Dr. Addison who described the protest as “completely unnecessary” said neither he nor his two deputies will not step down.

ALSO READ:

• OccupyBoG demo: NPP’s Alfred Thompson exposes Ato Forson

• OccupyBOG demo: Duffour reacts to security head receiving petition saga

• OccupyBoG demo: Frances Essiam backs Dr. Addison

Speaking on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem , he said the opposition party was too hasty in its decision.

“Citizens have the right to protest if they have grave concerns about the management at the Bank of Ghana. This is the first time since 1992 that a protest has been done against the Central Bank but they [Minority] should have waited for us to summon the Governor to Parliament and then act accordingly, that is where I have a problem,” he bemoaned.

The Majority leader said happenings at the demonstrations may have dire consequences on Ghana’s economy.

He added that, violent incidents recorded at such demonstration will negatively affect Ghana’s image in the Western world.

The Minority is seeking the immediate resignation of BoG Governor and his two deputies over what they describe as the gross mismanagement of Ghana’s economy.

This, they believe has significantly contributed to the bankruptcy of the bank and the resultant worsening economic conditions in the country.

Minority leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has hinted that, if Wednesday’s protest fail to produce the expected results, they will embark on other measures to get the Central Bank managers out of office.

ALSO READ:

• #OccupyBoG protest: You can go to court if… – Police tells Minority

• #OccupyBoG demo: Police announces closure of these roads

• Minority MPs, leadership must be allowed to march to BoG – Ato Forson

The Minister for Parliamentary Affairs said it is not too late for Mr. Kyerematen to return to the party.

Speaking about the development plan shared by the former Trade Minister, Mr. Mensah-Bonsu stated that there is a need for an alliance.

“In 2008, Alan resigned from the party for various reasons. My hope is that even though this time around he has gone to the extreme, I still think it’s possible for him to retrace his steps. I think even though he wants to contest as an independent candidate, his morals and development agenda is similar to that of the NPP. If both parties have a similar plan, then his decision to go independent is not helpful,” he said on Accra-based Neat FM.

“There are serious technical difficulties and impediments in the way of anybody who contests as an independent candidate. If you claim both parties have lost track and you’re saying you’d work with products from the same place, how does that work? How are you going to run your administration?” he quizzed.

To him, “Technically it is almost impossible for an independent candidate to win and administer the affairs of the country.”

He expressed optimism about the NPP’s chances of breaking the eight.

“If the elections were in a month’s time or sooner, Alan’s chances would have been higher. Some NPP supporters would have voted for him. But with over year to the elections, the party has time to unite and heal,” he added.

ALSO READ:

• NPP’s destructive elephant and Alan’s poisonous butterfly are the same –…

• Alan Kyerematen’s resignation is a sham – Kwakye Ofosu jabs Alan

• Kofi Koranteng lauds Alan Kyerematen