Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta: Ministerial Vetting Updates

Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta: All You Need To Know About His Vetting By Parliament today.

Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta says he has never taken a salary since his assumption of office back in 2017.

He made these comments during his vetting before the Appointments Committee in Parliament.

According to him, other entitlements and compensations from which he has not drawn as Minister includes per diem.

“I do not take a salary, I do not take a per diem, so those are not the objectives that I come with,” he said on Thursday.

He was responding to a question posed by North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa about his relationship with private firms working closely with many government departments and agencies.

The MP was of the view that the situation fuels a certain narrative which insinuates that undue advantage could be given to his cronies.

But Mr Ofori-Atta explained that his commitment to improving the state of the country’s public sector keeps him going even without financial considerations.

The Minister-designate believes the need to see a more vibrant public sector is an innate objective, a call he is not willing to sacrifice at the altar of financial gains.

“I suspect you know that the issue of public service is one that really has been with the family for a long time and I came into it with that aspect,” he added.

What caused the delay in Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta ‘s Vetting?

Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Thursday, March 25, vet Ken Ofori-Atta, the President’s Finance Minister nominees.

The public hearing which is strictly by invitation was telecast live on public broadcaster GBC at 10 am.

The Committee was unable to vet Mr Ken Ofori Atta after it was announced in February that he will travel to the US for a special medical review based on his doctor’s advice.

This was as a result of the medical complications he suffered after recovering from Covid-19 in December 2020.

Mr Ofori-Atta requested another time to be vetted by Parliament’s Appointments Committee as his condition did not make it possible for him to face it.

He was, however, expected to return in two weeks, but could not make it on time.

In his absence, President Akufo-Addo appointed Charles Adu Boahen as its special representative at the Finance Ministry.

In an unprecedented move, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, the Majority Leader and Parliamentary Affairs Minister was appointed as Interim Finance Minister.

The Suame MP presented government’s 2021 Budget Statement to Parliament.

Days later speaking at a Virtual PwC Post Budget Forum Mr Ofori Atta stated that he was feeling better attributing his quick recovery to God and prayers from Ghanaians.

He noted that doctors who were “handling” him are even surprised with his fast recovery rate.

Mr Ofori Atta also thanked Mr Charles Adu Boahen and the personnel at the ministry for how they handled the budget preparation and presentation.

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Monday, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo Markin, Deputy Majority Leader, told host Evans Mensah that Mr Ofori-Atta was back in town hale and hearty.

The Effutu MP who is a member of the Committee said they were waiting for a communication from the presidency to proceed to vet the co-founder of Databank Group.

source: Celebritiesbuzz.com.gh