The Economic Management Team Only Advises Cabinet They Dont Have Decision Making Powers Vice Prez

Head of the Economic Management Team (EMT) under the Nana Addo led government, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has stated that the EMT does not have decision-making powers but only offers advice to cabinet.

The veep’s comments come at a time when section of the public and mainly the opposition, national Democratic Congress (NDC) has been blamed him for the economic obstacles that Ghana is currently experiencing.

It can be recalled that former President and the main contender for the 2024 general elections, John Dramani Mahama asked that he should be removed as head of the EMT for the obstacles that has besieged the economy.

Delivering his address at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) on Wednesday February 7, Dr Bawumia, flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), said “Thankfully I was appointed as chair of the EMT, as a committee of Cabinet we do not have decision-making powers but I am very proud of the quality of advice we have been providing over the years to Cabinet. As vice President, I was asked by the President to assist in solving the problems that were inhibiting the economy. My approach was to help formalize the economy through digitalization as stated in our 2016 manifesto.”

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia further said that the flak that the Bank of Ghana (BoG) received for supporting the government during the economic crisis was unnecessary.

He confirmed that the central bank was responsible enough to put the interest of Ghanaians ahead by deciding to support the government in dealing with the crisis when the need arise.

The Minority in Parliament strongly criticized the Bank of Ghana, saying the central bank was not fit for purpose.

They, however, bemoaned the BoG was not able to undertake monetary policy without printing monies.

But Bawumia said in his address that “The Bank of Ghana provided needed financing to the government at a crucial moment. What the BoG did was very responsible in putting the interest of the citizens first,” he said.Kobina Darlington/