Former Deputy Finister of Finance who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Nyhiaeso Constituency in the Ashanti region, Dr Stephen Amoah, has described the messy raid on the Ken Ofori-Atta, the former finance minister’s home as outmoded, colloquial and, primitive politics which could destroy the country if allowed to fester.
“Mr. Speaker… I would like to re-emphasize the point that Ken Ofori-Atta, until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction, cannot be described and defined as somebody who is criminal,” Dr. Amoah stated in defence of the former minister.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament last Wednesday, the Investment Banker expressed worry about actions and inactions, omissions and behaviours that are dwindling the reputation of Parliament, admitting that, “We have been doing this to ourselves for far too long.”
Sticker, as the Nyiaeso MP is fondly referred to; averred that, “Now, every Tom, Dick, and Harry out there, even if you’re driving Land Cruiser, they think you are a politician, whether NDC, NPP, they don’t respect us. And this is why I am bringing it to your attention.
That, do we allow yesterday’s propaganda or actions or omissions to continue to keep on destroying the very image and reputation of this August House. Is that what we want to do? This is the question I am asking. Mr. Speaker, are we teaching the younger generation what we are doing today? Mr. Speaker, what does the Constitution say? Article 18 (2). With your permission.
“No one shall be subjected to the interference of his private home and properties. Has that happened or not? The very Constitution that we ourselves, the very laws that we ourselves make, we are undermining the same laws because of politics. We should not sit here. And because of politics, forget the fact that the same kind of rat made your family members have free school. Your nephews, your children, your aunties, your friends, your mosque members, your church members. But for Ken Ofori-Atta, they would not be home.
Let us stop these things against either NDC or MPP. Let us maintain our reputations as a house. Let us believe in one fact that we are one people with a common destiny as a country.”
The same Ken Ofori-Atta who is now being hounded, the MP pointed out, in 2016, 2016, inherited an economy that was growing at 3.4%, inflationary rate was 15.4%. Lending rate was about 40%. “But by 2019, the country was growing 7%. Inflation was 7%, under Ofori-Atta. We have been able to implement one of the most enviable policies on the continent of Africa. How could you describe such a man because of global crisis, your own former finance minister in such derogatory manner, interspersing his statement which questions as; Do you know the description you are giving to your country? Do you know how you are placing Ghana on the globe because of politics? Do you know what you are doing to your country?”
I think this should be the last time for all of us. Let us show love and constructive discussions. Constructive conflict, conflict, C-type, not A-type, he admonished.
