The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has declined to disclose the complete cost of its new head office building to Mahama Ayariga, Member of Parliament for Bawku Central.
In response to Ayariga’s request for detailed financial information regarding the construction project, the BoG redirected him to the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) for further clarification.
Citing procedural protocols, the BoG stated that all financial details related to procurement processes must be accessed through the PPA.
The central bank emphasized that the construction contract for the new head office was awarded with the approval of the PPA, adhering to the stipulations of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663), as amended by the Public Procurement Amendment Act, 2016 (Act 914).
In a letter to Mr Ayariga, the BoG underscored its commitment to transparency and compliance with regulatory frameworks governing public expenditures.
The excerpt from the letter read, “The BoG went through the necessary procurement processes in accordance with the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663) as amended by the Public Procurement Amendment Act, 2016 (Act 914) in 2022. The cost and details of the construction may be obtained from the PPA.”
Mahama Ayariga, known for advocating transparency in government projects, expressed dissatisfaction with the BoG’s response.
He argued that as a public institution, the BoG has a responsibility to provide clear and comprehensive information about expenditures on its new head office.
Mr Ayariga stressed that transparency is crucial for fostering accountability and maintaining public trust in the management of national resources.