Deputy Finance Minister-designate Thomas Nyarko Ampem has described the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) absence from the National Economic Dialogue (NED) as a concerning development.
Speaking in an interview on an Accra based TV station he said, “We need to build consensus and for me, I am sad that our opponents are not actively participating in this”.
According to him, the NPP had every right to participate, as they could potentially govern the country again in the coming years.
Nyarko Ampem stressed the need for continued efforts in implementing the economic reset agenda, calling for collective participation to ensure meaningful outcomes.
“There has to be sustained efforts to make sure that it yields the needed results. That is why President John Dramani Mahama needs that consensus for everyone to be on the same page” he said.
However, Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, in another interview revealed that the Minority caucus did not receive any invitation to attend the National Economic Dialogue.
According to him, the leadership of the Minority confirmed to him that no invitation was extended.
“I had earlier stated that the Minority would attend the Dialogue only if this current administration reinstates the public servants whose appointments had been revoked.”
“The President urged us to be patriotic yet did not invite us to the Dialogue, and there’s no doubt that we would have had something to contribute” he said.
The National Economic Dialogue, held at the Accra International Conference Centre, has brought together policymakers, economists, business leaders, and civil society organizations to discuss key economic strategies.
The outcomes of the dialogue are expected to shape policies aimed at addressing Ghana’s economic challenges and driving long-term growth.
As the government prepares to incorporate the dialogue’s outcomes into the forthcoming National Budget, there is growing anticipation that concrete measures will be implemented to address the financial risks faced by state-owned enterprises and ensure the country’s economic stability.
