Minority Leader in Parliament, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has slammed the Bank of Ghana for its decision to invest in the construction of a new head office at a time when it has plunged the financial sector into severe crisis.
Per reports, the Central Bank is set to spend an amount of $250 million (GHC2.8 billion) on another Head Office building at Ridge.
Engaging the press on Tuesday, August 8, Dr Ato Forson described this action as the height of insensitivity in the management of the finances of a troubled country.
He noted that it is unacceptable for such a project to take place when the Bank of Ghana recorded a staggering loss of GHS60.8 billion, equivalent to $6 billion.
“This is twice the amount we are to receive from our recent IMF bailout. This means the recklessness and mismanagement of the Governor of the Bank of Ghana has cost the nation twice what we are struggling and sacrificing to receive from the IMF amid major conditionalities,” he said.
The Central Bank has been accused of writing-off a whooping GHC 48.4 billion, about half of Ghana Government’s indebtedness to the Central Bank, without parliamentary approval.
According to the Minority Leader, this is illegal and criminal, and the NDC Members of Parliament will not allow this to pass.
Following the trend of issues, the Minority in Parliament has called for the removal of the Central Bank Governor, Dr Ernest Addison.
Meanwhile, Dr Ato Forson has issued a 21-day ultimatum for the removal of the BoG Governor.
“In this regard, we call for the resignation of the Governor of the Central Bank and his deputies within 21 days from today.”
“We are resolved to embark on popular action to occupy the Central Bank and drive out the team of inept, callous, and criminal mismanagers of the finances of this country and Save the Bank of Ghana,” he said.
“The March to Ensure Accountability will begin in 21 days if the Governor of the Bank of Ghana does not do the needful and pack bag and baggage out of that sacred institution that he has so desecrated. Dr Ernest Addisson Must Go! There has to be an end to impunity, ” he added.