A former National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Frederick Worsemao Armah Blay, has defended the legacy of former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.
Mr. Ofori-Atta served as Ghana’s Finance Minister from 2017 until his reassignment as a Presidential Envoy in early 2024. He was replaced in that role by Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam.
His tenure was marked by a deepening economic crisis, which led to widespread calls for his dismissal over allegations of economic mismanagement—a call that was resisted by then-President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, his cousin.
However, Mr. Blay maintains that the former Minister gave his all to the country, despite the challenging circumstances under which the Akufo-Addo administration operated.
“Ken Ofori-Atta was a very fine Finance Minister, very resolute and hard on what he wanted,” he said in an interview with Kumasi-based Oyerepa TV on Saturday, June 14.
“The government didn’t cause the mess [he is being criticised for]. The NPP, under the circumstances over the eight years, I would say, will go down in history as one of the best governments that have ruled this country, irrespective of what people’s opinions may be,” he added.
Mr. Ofori-Atta is currently under investigation for corruption-related offences, including the controversial National Cathedral project, the SML scandal, among others.
He has been placed on Interpol’s red notice at the request of the Office of the Special Prosecutor, amidst reports that he is undergoing medical treatment in the United Kingdom.
Reacting to this, Mr. Blay expressed sadness over what he described as the unfortunate treatment being meted out to the former Finance Minister, former Bank of Ghana Governor Dr. Ernest Addison, and other former government officials.
He warned that such recurring developments could discourage competent individuals from accepting appointments into public office.
