A coalition of Ghana’s ruling party lawmakers on Tuesday asked the president to fire finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta and his deputy, in order to “restore hope in the financial sector”.
Andy Appiah-Kubi, on behalf 80 of the 137 NPP members, said they would not take part in any business of government and would boycott budget hearings until their demands are met.
Parliament is set to begin debating the budget in the coming days.
“We have voiced our concerns to the president…without any positive response,” Appinah-Kubi said. “Until such persons are made to resign or otherwise removed from office, we…will not participate in any business of government.”
With membership split down the middle between the two major parties, Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo already faces an impasse. Even single abstentions often hold back ruling party proposals from becoming legislation.
Ghana is seeking a lending intervention from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in a bid to cushion economic hardship that spurred street protests. Ofori-Atta had repeatedly pledged not to seek IMF assistance before engaging the Fund three months ago.