Ken Ofori-Atta, the upcoming minister of finance and economic planning, has revealed that during the four years of President Akufo-first Addo’s term, he did not get a salary or travel expenses. He claimed that he receives no financial benefits for serving as finance minister.
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When Mr. Ofori-Atta appeared before the Parliamentary Appointments Committee for his screening, he disclosed this.
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“I suspect you are aware of the fact that the Ofori-Atta family has been dealing with the issue of public service for a considerable amount of time, and I approached the situation from that perspective. I don’t get paid a salary or a per diem, so those aren’t the goals I have, he claimed.
Ken Ofori-Atta was answering a question from a North Tongu lawmaker who wanted to know why so many of his personal friends and people connected to the companies he owns work in key positions in the nation’s financial system, and whether or not this might not be giving him an unfair advantage.
He continued by saying that the problem was more cynicism on the part of some people who thought the scenario was the result of his desire to profit himself.
The Minister-designate also addressed inquiries regarding the contentious Agyapa deal, in which he was accused by many of rigging the bidding in favor of Databank.
The co-founder of Databank, Mr. Ofori-Atta, has stated that there was no conflict of interest regarding the brokerage and investment firm’s participation in the contentious Agyapa deal.
Mr. Ofori-Atta testified before Parliament’s Appointments Committee, defending Databank’s involvement in the deal as clean and free of any personal influence, saying: “In my situation, I truly do not engage in these procurements and transactions, as we think broadly on the economic freedom space for people, our international relationship to ensure that we get the best people. So I’m able to pledge my support for you. I haven’t served on the Databank board since 2014 or 2012, when I retired from that position. I believe we created two excellent businesses.
