Ex-Chair of NPP, Freddie Blay agrees reshuffle could be election strategy

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Emmanuel Kwarteng
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The former chairman of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Frederick Worsemao Armah Blay, popularly called Freddie Blay, has revealed that the ministerial reshuffle by President Akufo-Addo could be partly an election strategy for the party in breaking the ‘eight’.

In an exclusive interview with TV3, the former Ellembelle lawmaker noted that he is not privy to the reasons behind the move by President Nana Akufo-Addo. However, he did not mince words that the changes could be election-motivated.

“That could be part of the strategy; why not? We are going for another election and the changes may be towards preparing for the next elections,” he said, adding, “There have been incessant calls that there ought to be some changes.”

He, however, argued that the changes have come a little late, saying, “I would have preferred if it had come a little earlier; be it as it may, it is better late than never.”

But the ex-chair of the NPP disagreed with assertions that the government prioritises winning the next election rather than bettering the lives of Ghanaians.

Freddie Blay further stressed that calls to get the then finance minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, sacked earlier were targeting only an individual, indicating that governance is a collective effort.

Meanwhile, the Director of Business Operations at Dalex Finance, Joe Jackson, has cast doubt on the significance of President Akufo-Addo’s last-minute ministerial shake-up.

He said the reshuffle does not seek to tackle the economic crisis facing the country.

Reacting to the changes made by the President on TV3’s News360 on Wednesday, February 14, the financial economist said, amongst other things, that “it is not an economic performance reshuffle.”

“This is an election shuffle, not a performance shuffle,” the financial economist reiterated.

The financial analyst also stressed that the changes made by the President make no difference as Ghanaians have made up their minds.

“You can reshuffle all you like; it makes no difference,” he said, adding, “People have made up their minds and their perceptions about this regime already.”

Joe Jackson, however, lauded the experience of the newly appointed Minister for Finance, Mohammed Amin Adam, as a first-class economist but wondered how successful he would be considering the timing.

“Nobody can doubt his credentials…is there enough time for him to make a difference? Is there enough time for him to put together pro-poor policies?” he quizzed.

In a related development, the former Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, is set to be named a Senior Presidential Advisor to President Nana Akufo-Addo on all matters relating to the economy, according to 3News’ sources familiar with the matter.

He will take up the new mantle following the February 14th ministerial shuffle.

Further reports corroborate this, clarifying that Ken Ofori-Atta’s new portfolio will also see him serve as the president’s special envoy on international investment and the capital markets.

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