The Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has challenged former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to return to Ghana and witness what he describes as a turnaround in the country's economic management under the current administration.

He credited Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson with creating the financial conditions that have enabled the government to undertake major infrastructure projects using domestic resources rather than relying heavily on external borrowing.

Mr Agbodza questioned what Mr Ofori-Atta's reaction would be to the ongoing developments, given what he described as the previous administration's inability to execute similar projects.

“I don't know how my good friend Ken Ofori will be feeling watching television from America right now. What he couldn't do,” he remarked.

He said he would welcome the former Finance Minister's return to the country to see the infrastructure projects for himself, although he acknowledged that this might not be possible at the moment.

“Unfortunately, I wish he would be able to come back to Ghana and see this physically for himself. But unfortunately, he may not be able to come,” he said.

Mr Agbodza was quick to add that nobody had prevented Mr Ofori-Atta from returning to Ghana.

The Roads Minister argued that the government's ability to finance major infrastructure works locally demonstrated a different approach to managing the economy.

He cited the construction of bridges, which he said involved investments worth hundreds of millions of dollars from domestic resources, as evidence of the administration's financial management.

“If you want to actually see the impact, the evidence that President Mahama, through the Finance Minister, is managing the economy well, this is a typical example. And don't forget we are funding this ourselves,” he said.

He contrasted the current financing arrangements with those of the previous administration, which he accused of resorting to borrowing even to meet expenditure obligations under social intervention programmes.

“In the past, we even borrowed money to pay school feeding people. We have borrowed money to pay LEAP. Today, we are building bridges, hundreds of millions of dollars funded by ourselves,” he stated.

Mr Agbodza further revealed that the government was considering withdrawing from loan arrangements for three additional projects because it believed they could be financed with domestic resources.

He said the approach would help create a lasting development legacy while opening up opportunities for investment and other economic activities.

“This is an economy that is working for the people of our country. This is an economy that is going to lasting legacy and open up doors for investment and other things,” he added.

Agbodza backs Ato Forson

The Roads Minister also praised Dr Ato Forson, attributing the government's ability to undertake major projects without depending on external loans to the Finance Minister's handling of the economy.

He expressed confidence that Dr Forson's performance would earn him a place in Ghana's history as one of its most accomplished Finance Ministers.

“I believe without a doubt, Ato Forson will go down in history as perhaps the best possible, the best ever Finance Minister,” he said.

Mr Agbodza maintained that the use of domestic resources to fund major infrastructure projects reflected a more effective approach to economic management.

He also appealed to Ghanaians to support President John Dramani Mahama's administration as it pursues its development agenda.

Expressing satisfaction with the government's progress, he urged citizens to appreciate the country's achievements and the efforts of those leading its economic transformation.

“I think everybody needs to be grateful to God for how far he has brought us. Every Ghanaian must be proud of him or herself,” he said.

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Agbodza dares Ofori-Atta to return to Ghana and witness Ato Forson’s performance

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