The Minority Caucus in Parliament has expressed reservations over President John Mahama’s nomination of Dr Johnson Asiama as Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG).
They argued that Dr Asiama’s nomination required a consultation with the Council of State before he could be appointed, but he had already assumed his duty as the Governor.
“We humbly suggest that Dr Johnson Asiama ought to keep away from the Bank of Ghana until his nomination is approved by the Council of State,” Dr Gideon Boako, a New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Tano North said on Wednesday, during a Press Conference at the Parliament House in Accra.
He said Dr Asiama could ask for and get all the briefing he required as he awaited the approval.
“… We are at a loss as to why President John Dramani Mahama cannot wait for the completion of the adjudication process of a court suit against Dr Asiama before appointing him,” he said.
The Minority further questioned Dr Asiama’s ability to supervise the financial sector, given the alleged serious charges leveled against him.
“It tells a lot about the integrity of our financial industry. It also raises questions about how he will treat staff of the Bank who cooperated with the Attorney General’s Department in initiating the case against him,” he added.
The Minority warned that Dr Asiama’s appointment could have serious consequences for Ghana’s economy, including increased costs for international transactions and potential reputational risks.
“We will be writing to the IMF to draw attention to this, given that he will, as Governor of the Bank, be a member of the IMF Board of Governors,” Dr Boako said.
In response to the Minority’s concerns, Mr Felix Ofosu Kwakye, the Minister for Government Communications, published appointment letters of previous government officials who were appointed while waiting for the Constitution of the Council of State.
However, the Minority maintained that Dr Asiama’s situation was different, as he had already begun assuming duties as Governor without proper approval.