NDC group warns Terkper detractors

The Grassroots Supporters Front (GSF) of the NDC, is the latest to join the growing number of those defending the hardworking Hon. Minister of Finance and Economic planning, Hon. Seth Terkper, and it says those calling for the dismissal of Mr. Tekper are enemies of the state.

According to the Grassroots Supporters Front (GSF), decisions concerning the management of the economy are collectively taken through an intricate cabinet collaboration and that Mr. Terkper should not be singled out for an attack on the management of the economy.

In a statement copied to The National Guardian and signed by spokesperson, Abdul Ganiu, the group is of the view that sacking Hon. Seth Terkper at this critical period of our economic renaissance will spell doom for the country.

The group is therefore asking the President to remain steadfast and resolute with regards to the confidence he has reposed in the finance minister.

"Hon Seth Terkper has earned his position as Finance Minister by merit and the President himself has attested to this severally. Calling for his head at this critical period of our economic transformation will definitely spell doom for the country", it argued.

"We feel saddened that some people in the NDC have decided to descend on the minister as if he was the cause of all the economic difficulties the country is experiencing. The reality on the ground is that Mr. Terkper is one Finance Minister who deserves a pats on the back because of the challenges that persisted when he took office.

We shouldn't lose sight of the fact that when he took office, there was a huge deficit that had to be dealt with.

Part of this deficit was the huge wage bill that was caused as a result of the Single Spine Salary regime. Those who have followed the developments on the economic landscape would testify that he had been working assiduously to reduce this deficit that had crippled the economy."

Just yesterday, the IMF Review Mission in the country gave the Hon. Finance Minister thumbs up on the way he has handled the economy since the country submitted to the IMF technical support program.

"The mission welcomes the commitment reiterated by the authorities to the ambitious fiscal consolidation and structural reforms program, in particular in addressing payroll irregularities, enhancing public finance management and transparency and liberating the oil distribution sector," the IMF team said in a statement."

The group specifically mentioned deputy Finance Minister, Mona Quartey, and the dismissed CEO of the National Health Insurance Authority, Sylvester Mensah as those behind various plots to get the minister out of the Finance ministry.

"We are aware of the plots; the intended Press conference slated for Thursday to call for the Minister's head. These people don't like the president. They have their agenda and theirs is to plunder the state coffers.

Hon. Seth Terkper has blocked a lots of avenues for these politicians to make money, and so he has become their enemy number one. The grassroots will resist any attempt to undermine the minister," statement said.

The group is also advising all well-meaning members of the NDC to appreciate the efforts the Hon. Finance Minister is putting in place to overcome our economic challenges rather than calling for his head.

"We should continue reassuring Ghanaians that things would soon get better and give Ghanaians hope, instead of calling for the dismissal of the minister, the statement concluded.

Efo Dela Mawuko

The National Guardian