NDC Member of Parliament for Keta Constituency, Richard Quashigah has called on the Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to withdraw and apologise for his description of the minority as “ignorant”.
Dr. Bawumia fired the salvos at the Minority following their stance over the issuance of a $2.25 billion 15-year domestic bond.
The minority at a press briefing on Tuesday, April 18, 2017 cited the finance minister for conflict of interest and lack of transparency in the issuance of $2.25 billion 15-year bond.
Government issued 15 and 7-year bonds with a coupon rate of 19.75%, raising a total amount of USD1.13 billion. The Finance Ministry additionally raised cedi equivalent of USD1.12 billion in five and 10-year bonds through a tap arrangement.
Former deputy finance Minister Casely Ato Forson at the press conference asserted Franklin Templeton Investment limited which acquired about 95% of the domestic bond floated earlier this month has a direct relationship with Mr. Ofori-Atta.
Vice president Bawumia who is currently in Washington attending the World Bank/IMF spring meeting told the media the Minority lacks “understanding in managing the economy.”
He said: “It shows a lack of understanding. The minority has never understood this economy. It shows ignorance and I’m so sad this is coming from people who should know better.”
“Maybe they should read a little…we are doing even much better,” Dr. Bawumia punched the Minority, adding, “They are really demonstrating a lot of ignorance in the process of managing the economy.”
But a statement signed by the Deputy Ranking Member on Employment, Richard Quashigah, described the Vice President’s statement as “unfortunate” and “jaundiced.”
“If indeed those were his words, then it is not only unfortunate, but a very jaundiced conclusion to have been made by him,” Mr. Quashigah said.
“If indeed the reportage as put out by the media is accurate, then he is advised to learn to speak with diplomacy and dignity expected of a Vice President or else before long he could cause this nation an incalculable international embarrassment. Assuming without admitting that the minority got it wrong, couldn’t he have clarified without insults?.”
“Mr. Bawumia, the current Vice President of Ghana, must do the excellent thing by withdrawing and must apologize to the good people of Ghana. The use of intemperate language is unbecoming of the Vice President,” the statement added.
