The Head of the Economic Management Team (EMT), Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia should have resigned when he realized his advice to cabinet on key economic issues was not taken, a political scientist at the University of Ghana, Dr Kwame Asah-Asante has said.
Dr Asah-Asante indicated that indeed, it is the case that not every advice by Dr Bawumia would be taken by the cabinet. However, the problem is his decision to stay on as head of the EMT or even as the Vice President.
His comments come at a time when the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) said that the EMT does not have decision-making powers.
Dr Bawumia said they only advise the cabinet. As head of the EMT, he had been blamed for the economic challenges that Ghana is facing.
Delivering his address at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) on Wedmesdsy Febraury 7, Dr Bawumia said “Thankfully, I was appointed as chair of the EMT, as a sub-committee to 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 Cainet. 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.”
Speaking on this issue in an interview with Beatrice Adu on the mid-day news on 3FM Thursday February 8, Dr Asah-Asante said “That is where the trouble is, if he says that he gave advice and we can’t blame him for this. Obviously, that is the case, but the real issue is if you give the advice and you know that the advice is something that the state needs so much and it is not taken into consideration, the first time, the second time, the third time, do you still continue to be with the government?
Are you saying he should have resigned? Beatrice Adu asked him.
In answer, he said “Exactly so. Unless of course, you convince me that the advice you give, even if you throw it away, it doesn’t matter. Remember you are not talking about an ordinary person, this is Dr. Bawumia who has endeared himself to the heart of many as a very serious economist so he gives advice, his advice doesn’t work or is not taken and he continues to be in the government then what do you want us to say?”