Minority plans to hit the streets again in another demo against BOG

The Minority has planned to demonstrate against the Bank of Ghana (BoG) demanding the resignation or dismissal of the governor Dr Ernest Addison and his deputies, as well as the dissolution of its board.

The Minority has protested against the central bank since it recorded a historic loss of GH₵60 billion in 2022.

The Bank’s decision to construct a new head office at a cost of $250 million has further infuriated the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The Minority insisted that nothing would deter them from pressing this demand until they achieved their goal.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP), for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga who is leading the caucus, stated that the economy cannot be mismanaged without accountability.

He pointed to issues of alleged corruption in the procurement of the new head office building and criticised the central bank’s refusal to account for its actions, reinforcing their call for the governor’s removal.

“We are marching back to the Central Bank to demand the resignation of Governor and his deputies and the board of the bank and we have written to the regional police commander, we have indicated the route we want to use and the date we have given him which is 30th of this month and I have received an invitation from the regional police command for a meeting at 2’o clock this afternoon.”

According to Mahama Ayariga, the Bank of Ghana does not need a new head office, and the justifications offered by the central bank have been untenable.

He pointed out that the Cedi House building exists and the current head office is still fit for purpose.

Mr. Ayariga mentioned that the governor cited earthquake reports, which the Minority has not seen, as the reason for the need to relocate and build a new head office.

He highlighted a scandal where the governor and central bank management initially proposed constructing the head office for 110 million dollars, but the procurement authority downsized the budget to 85-89 million dollars.

“They went back and subsequently we saw that the same contract was awarded at over120 million dollars. First, we disagree with that but what is become even worrying is that subsequently this same contract the price was review upwards and as we speak today, we are reliably informed that this head office is being constructed at a price of $250 million. The last time we sighted procurement document the price had moved to about $ 220 million”