The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has refused to disclose the total cost of its new head office building to Bawku Central MP, Mahama Ayariga.
In response to Mr. Ayariga’s inquiry for comprehensive financial details about the construction project, the BoG directed him to the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) for further information.
The BoG stated that their decision to withhold the full financial breakdown is based on procedural requirements that specify such information must be obtained through the PPA.
In a letter to the lawmaker, the BoG stressed that all procurement processes and financial transactions for the new head office have adhered to established regulatory frameworks and oversight mechanisms.
“With the approval of the Public Procurement Authority (PPA), the BoG awarded a contract for the construction of a bank duty post, at the premises of the old BoG clinic.”
“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,” an excerpt of the letter said.
An advocate for transparency in government projects, Mahama Ayariga, voiced his dissatisfaction with the BoG’s reply.
He contends that as a public entity, the BoG is duty-bound to offer clear and comprehensive details regarding the expenses for the new head office.
Mr. Ayariga asserts that transparency is essential to uphold accountability and public confidence in the stewardship of national resources.
The BoG’s new head office project has attracted public interest and scrutiny, with numerous stakeholders demanding more disclosure of the project’s financial details.
The refusal to reveal the complete cost directly has ignited further discussion about the transparency and accountability of public entities in Ghana.