Economic mess: ‘Bawumia didn't run the show; Ofori-Atta did’ — Dr Assibey-Yeboah

Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta[seated] and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia [standing right]

Dr. Mark Assibey-Yeboah, Chairman of the Economic Sub-Committee for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Manifesto, has asserted that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Vice President and NPP’s flagbearer for the 2024 election, should not be solely blamed for Ghana’s economic challenges.

Dr. Assibey-Yeboah instead directed responsibility to former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, arguing that Ofori-Atta was the main decision-maker on economic matters under the Akufo-Addo administration.

In an interview with Channel One TV on Monday, November 11, Dr. Assibey-Yeboah defended Dr. Bawumia against criticisms that his role as head of the Economic Management Team (EMT) makes him accountable for the country’s current economic struggles.

Dr. Bawumia has faced scrutiny from political opponents and analysts who question his role in Ghana’s financial challenges, given his prominent position on the EMT and his economic expertise.

“This school of thought that if you are a Vice President, are you really in charge?” Dr. Assibey-Yeboah questioned. “We want to put everything on his doorstep. But you and I know that people like Ken Ofori-Atta [former Finance Minister] ran the show. Even though he’s the Vice President, what is his day-to-day mandate as it were?”

Dr. Assibey-Yeboah emphasizes the Vice President’s limited involvement in daily economic decisions, explaining that Bawumia’s position as head of the EMT is more symbolic than authoritative.

He described the EMT as an entity established at the President’s discretion and suggested that it does not hold direct executive power on economic matters.

“The Economic Management Team is a creation of a President; it is not on our books,” he noted.