By Adu Koranteng
Some Financial experts and analysts have welcomed the appointment of Ken Ofori Atta by President Akufo Addo as a senior presidential advisor and special Envoy for International Finance and Private sector Investments.
According to Bright Yeboah, a Financial analysts, the new appointment would enable him connect with global economic managers and financial powers and also strike financial deals and agreements that would boost investments and enhance Ghana’s image. “This is a man who has been Ghana’s longest serving Finance minister since we commenced multi-party democracy in 1992 and has wealth of experience to contribute to Ghana’s economic development. I believe Mr. Ofori Atta will use his experience to support the new finance minister by connecting him to the movers and shakers of the global financial market to get the needed support to cushion the country’s economy” stated.
Mr. Ofori-Atta position is expected to leverage his extensive experience and network to attract international investments and bolster private sector participation in Ghana’s development.
His new role would also leverages his proven track record in finance and international engagement. He was the first African to testify before the US Congress in support of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act, and held leadership positions in international organizations like the World Bank/IMF Development Committee and the African Capacity Building Foundation.
Meanwhile Information Minister designated, Fatimatu Abubakar has defended the decision to reassign former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to a new role.
According to her, Mr. Ofori-Atta’s expertise is still needed as government work around the clock to revive Ghana’s economy.
“In no way does his capability to offer counsel in the financial realm diminish simply because he has been reassigned from the position of Finance Minister. If his expertise is deemed beneficial elsewhere, and the President believes he can contribute to negotiations or provide advice, I see no reason for significant opposition to that decision,” Fatimatu Abubakar said during an interview on TV3, on Monday, February 26.
President Nana Addo last month appointed Ken Ofori-Atta as the Senior Presidential Advisor and Special Envoy for International Finance and Private Sector Investments.
This happened after he was replaced by Dr Mohammed Amin Adam as the Finance Minister. The new position according to the experts will also give him the urge to advise President Akufo-Addo on matters of international finance and private sector investment.
Prior to his ministerial role, he co-founded Databank, a prominent Ghanaian financial services company, and held numerous board positions across diverse industries.
