Roads Minister Kwame Agbodza has publicly 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. Agbodza said he would welcome the former minister to see the infrastructure projects for himself, though he acknowledged that this might not be possible at the moment.
Agbodza 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. He cited the construction of bridges, involving 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,” Agbodza 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, the government borrowed money to pay school feeding programmes and the LEAP scheme. Today, the ministry is building bridges funded by domestic resources. Agbodza added that the government was considering withdrawing from loan arrangements for three additional projects because it believed they could be financed with domestic resources, a move he said would create a lasting development legacy and open up opportunities for investment.
Agbodza praised Dr Ato Forson, stating that the government’s ability to undertake major projects without depending on external loans was a direct result of the Finance Minister’s handling of the economy. He expressed confidence that Dr Forson would go down in history as one of Ghana’s 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,” Agbodza said. He also appealed to Ghanaians to support President John Dramani Mahama’s administration as it pursues its development agenda, urging citizens to appreciate the country’s achievements and the efforts of those leading its economic transformation.
