Minister of State for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has dismissed claims that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was deliberately excluded from the National Economic Dialogue, a forum organized by President John Dramani Mahama’s administration to address Ghana’s economic challenges.
His clarification follows concerns over the absence of NPP representatives at the high-profile event.
According to Kwakye Ofosu, the dialogue was an inclusive platform designed to foster collaboration among all stakeholders, and nothing prevented the NPP or any other political party from attending, even if they were not formally invited.
“I will have to check with the organisers to be certain, but I do know that persons who you can describe as members or supporters of the NPP were present. The likes of Kwame Pianim, who is a leading member of the NPP, was there.
“Other NPP former appointees like Dr Paul Acquah, Dr Ernest Addison, who were both governors of the Bank of Ghana under NPP regimes, were there. So, I can say that there is really no policy to exclude anybody on account of political colouration. But I will check to verify whether specifically the NPP or any other political party was invited.
“In any case, the NPP, only a week ago, was threatening not to be part of it. They were setting preconditions for attending. So, they did not give much of an impression that they wanted to be part of it.
“They also have a record of boycotting similar events in the past, specifically the Senchi Economic Forum. So, their records suggest that they are not willing to participate in these matters. It will be a regrettable omission, but the point is that nothing stops them from showing up,” he said in an interview on Eyewitness News on Monday, March 3, 2024.
Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has urged Ghanaians to rally behind the reset agenda, stressing that collective action is essential to steering the economy toward recovery and sustainable growth.
Speaking at the launch of the National Economic Dialogue, President Mahama emphasized that the forum was not just about discussing economic challenges but about finding practical solutions and setting a progressive course for the country’s financial future.
Describing the reset agenda as more than just a government policy, he framed it as a national call to action aimed at rebuilding the economy to benefit all Ghanaians.
Economic dialogue is to seek solutions, not mere talk – Mahama