Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Elikem Kotoko, has launched a scathing critique of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, accusing him of prioritising symbolism over substance during his tenure.

Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Monday, July 28, Mr. Kotoko ridiculed Ofori-Atta’s signature white apparel and his frequent use of Bible quotations during official presentations, calling them inconsistent with the seriousness required of a Finance Minister.

“He was not clad in white and giving us Bible quotations; the accompanied Bible verses were a complete toast and total variation with the personality involved at the time, who has now been declared a fugitive,” Kotoko said, in a direct reference to Ofori-Atta.

He praised the current Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, for restoring professionalism to the office, following his delivery of the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review in Parliament on Thursday, July 24.

“It gives me some sense of relief that for once, we have a Finance Minister who is serious and taking Ghanaians seriously,” he added.

Dr. Forson’s mid-year budget captured some key interventions to revitalise the National Investment Bank (NIB), including a GHS450 million capital injection, GHS1.5 billion in re-marketable bonds, and the transfer of GHS500 million worth of government shares in Nestlé Ghana Limited.

The recapitalisation efforts have improved the bank’s capital adequacy ratio from -51.13% in December 2024 to 23% in May 2025, saving over 900 jobs.