Minister of State for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has strongly dismissed allegations that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was intentionally sidelined from the recently held National Economic Dialogue, a strategic initiative by President John Dramani Mahama aimed at tackling Ghana’s pressing economic challenges.
This response follows widespread concerns regarding the notable absence of NPP representatives at the high-profile event, which was designed to create a collaborative platform for national economic recovery.
Clarifying the situation in an interview on Eyewitness News on Monday, March 3, 2024, Kwakye Ofosu emphasized that the National Economic Dialogue was inclusive, welcoming all key stakeholders, irrespective of political affiliation. He further noted that there was no deliberate exclusion of any political party, including the NPP, whether they received formal invitations or not.
“I’ll need to confirm with the organizers to be absolutely certain, but I know for a fact that individuals closely aligned with the NPP were present. For example, Kwame Pianim, a prominent figure within the NPP, actively participated,” he stated.
He also highlighted the presence of former Bank of Ghana Governors, Dr. Paul Acquah and Dr. Ernest Addison, both of whom served under previous NPP administrations, reinforcing the claim that the dialogue welcomed diverse participation.
Kwakye Ofosu pointed out that the NPP itself had previously expressed reluctance to participate, setting preconditionsand signaling disinterest just a week prior to the event. He referenced the NPP’s historical trend of boycotting similar engagements, such as the Senchi Economic Forum, as further evidence of their own disengagement from crucial national conversations.
“It’s unfortunate if they were absent, but nothing prevented them from attending. Their past behavior suggests a pattern of withdrawal from such critical dialogues,” Kwakye Ofosu added.
Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has called on all Ghanaians to fully support the nation’s reset agenda, underlining the urgent need for collective action to drive economic recovery and sustainable growth.
During his address at the launch of the National Economic Dialogue, President Mahama reiterated that the forum was not merely a platform for identifying problems but a decisive step toward implementing practical solutions and setting Ghana on a progressive economic trajectory.
As Ghana faces formidable financial challenges, the government is urging all political factions, stakeholders, and citizens to come together in pursuit of a stronger, more resilient economy.