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Minister-designate of Trade and Industry Alan Kyerematen could be delivering the 2021 government budget statement in Parliament on 12 March, sources at the Office of the President have told Asaase News.

Popularly known as Alan Cash, the minister-designate is expected to be sworn into office soon by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

Traditionally, it is the Minister for Finance who does the presentation of the annual budget statement on behalf of the government, however, Ken Ofori-Atta, who is the president’s representative at the ministry is yet to be vetted by Parliament’s Appointments Committee due to ill-health.

Ofori-Atta is currently in Minnesota, USA, undergoing treatment for post-COVID-19 complications.

Longer stay in USA
Information available to Asaase News indicate that Ofori-Atta is responding to treatment. However, his doctors have requested to observe his recovery for another two weeks.

Our source also confirmed Ofori-Atta has been participating and contributing virtually in all the ongoing preparatory work ahead of the budget presentation to Parliament. Ahead of the budget presentation, Cabinet will meet to finalise it.

Ofori-Atta left Ghana for the United States on Sunday 14 February 2021. The Ministry of Finance in a press statement explained that he was traveling for treatment following complications after recovering from COVID-19.

He recovered from the virus last December and has since had some medical complications.

“After recovering from COVID-19 last December, Ofori-Atta has had medical complications which doctors advise, require further interventions not currently available in Ghana,” the statement from the Ministry said.

He was expected to be vetted by the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Monday 8 March 2021. In light of his unavailability in the country, the date for his vetting is certainly going to be rescheduled.