Leader of the NDC Caucus in Parliament, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson
President-Elect John Dramani Mahama is reportedly considering the appointment of Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson for the position of Minister of Finance when he assumes political office from January 7, according to sources cited by Bloomberg.
Ato Forson, an accountant with a strong academic background, previously served as deputy finance minister under Mahama’s last administration.
Mahama is expected to announce his cabinet after his inauguration on January 7, 2024, following a landslide victory in the December 7 elections.
According to Bloomberg, although people with knowledge of the matter revealed the news, no source has verified the potential appointment.
Forson, who holds a degree in taxation from the University of Oxford and a doctorate in finance from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, has been a prominent figure in Ghanaian politics.
He is currently the leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) caucus in parliament and has been a member of the Parliament’s Finance Committee for the past eight years, where he has been an advocate for transparency in state spending.
The finance minister role will be crucial as Mahama aims to address Ghana’s economic challenges, including high inflation and significant national debt.
The new minister will need to implement measures to reduce spending and increase government revenue, the report added.
Ghana has faced inflation rates exceeding 20% for over two years and is recovering from a severe economic and debt crisis that led to a $3 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund in 2022.
The decision will be closely watched as it will play a significant role in shaping Ghana’s economic policies and recovery efforts.
ID/AE
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