The Minister-designate for Government Communication, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has told the Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin that former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo used the same approach that President John Dramani Mahama has used in appointing Dr Johnson Asiama as Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG).
His comments come after Afenyo-Markin told Dr Johnson Asiama to stop holding himself as Governor until approved by the Council of State.
The Minority Leader had said that while awaiting confirmation, Dr Asiama can seek any necessary briefings outside the formal assumption of office.
Dr Asiama on Monday, February 3 formally assumed office and held his maiden meeting with senior executives of the central bank.
In a letter to President John Dramani Mahama dated February 3, 2025, Mr Afenyo-Markin said “I refer to the announcement from the Ag. Spokesperson to the President, Hon Felix Kwakye Ofosu on the above subject and dated Friday, January 31, 2025. The announcement states that the President has nominated Dr. Johnson Asiama to serve as Governor of the Bank of Ghana pending approval by the Council of State.
“However, Your Excellency, reports from various media houses today, Monday, February 3, 2025, indicate that Dr. Asiamah has proceeded to the Bank of Ghana and, in all intents and purposes, has assumed office as Governor, engaging in meetings and official activities. With all due respect, Your Excellency, it is concerning that an individual who has merely been nominated and whose appointment is still pending approval by the Council of State has taken on the responsibilities of the office in the absence of such approval. This raises serious procedural and constitutional concerns, particularly given that the Council of State has not yet been constituted.
“It is worth considering the precedent this sets. If, for instance, a judicial nominee were to take their seat in court and begin administering justice before receiving the necessary approvals from the Judicial Council, it would be widely deemed inappropriate. The same principle must apply in this instance.
Furthermore, should the Council of State, upon its constitution, decide against approving Dr. Asiama’s nomination, what measures will be taken to address the actions he has already undertaken in his assumed capacity?
“Your Excellency, it is my considered view that Dr. Johnson Asiama should refrain from engaging in official duties at the Bank of Ghana until his nomination has been duly approved by the Council of State. While awaiting confirmation, he can seek any necessary briefings outside the formal assumption of office. I trust that due attention will be given to this matter to uphold the integrity of our institutional processes.”
However, reacting to the Minority Leader, the Minister designated for Government Communication, Felix Kwakye Ofosu said in a post on his X page that “The Minority Leader complains about Dr. Johnson Asiama’s appointment as BoG Governor pending consultations with the yet-to-be-formed Council of State.
“Here is the same procedure used to appoint the Common Fund Administrator by Prez Akufo-Addo in 2017.What sayeth him on this?”
The Minority Leader complains about Dr. Johnson Asiama’s appointment as BoG Governor pending consultations with the yet to be formed Council of State. Here is the same procedure used to appoint the Common Fund Administrator by Prez Akufo-Addo in 2017.What sayeth him on this? pic.twitter.com/oIQxxsByiw
— Felix Kwakye Ofosu (@FelixKwakyeOfo1) February 4, 2025
The Presidency earlier explained the reasons for nominating Dr Johnson Asiamah for the position of Governor pending approval by the Council of State.
This was after Dr Ernest Addison proceeded on terminal leave starting February 3.
The Presidency in a statement on Friday Janury 31 said that Dr Asiama’s nomination followed the receipt and acceptance of a formal request by the current Governor, Dr. Ernest Addison, to proceed on leave leading to his retirement on 31st March 2025.
Dr Johnson Asiamah who previously served as a Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana between 2016 and 2017, holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Southampton, UK and has extensive experience in monetary policy formulation, financial stability regulation and economic research.
He has a wealth of experience in banking having worked at the Bank of Ghana for over 23 years.
He has over the years demonstrated commitment to implementing sound monetary and exchange rate policy, foster a stable financial system, as well as promoting accelerated economic growth in Ghana.
Recently, the Attorney-General, Dominic Ayine, officially withdrew all charges against Johnson Asiama, concerning his alleged involvement in the collapse of UniBank and UT Bank.
Asiama, along with several others, had been facing a range of charges including fraudulent breach of trust, money laundering, conspiracy to commit crime, and violations of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) Act since 2020.
In the case of the collapse of UT Bank, the second deputy governor was charged alongside five others, including the bank’s founder, Prince Kofi Amoabeng. The other accused persons were Raymond Amanfu, UT Holdings Ltd., Catherine Johnson, and Robert Kwesi Armah.
In the UniBank case, however, former Finance Minister Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, his son Dr. Kwabena Duffuor II—who was the CEO of UniBank before its collapse—and other executives of the bank were also charged with money laundering.
Regarding Dr Addsion, the Bank of Ghana thanked him for his service during his two-term period.
On Friday, January 31, the central bank announced that Dr Addison has proceeded on terminal leave effective effective February 3.
In a statement, the BoG said “The public is hereby informed that from February 3, 2025, the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Ernest Addison, will start his terminal leave ahead of his retirement from the Bank. Dr Addison was appointed on April 3, 2017, and reappointed for a second term on March 29, 2021.
“In line with the Bank of Ghana Act, 2002 (Act 612), as amended, his tenure as Governor of the Bank of Ghana will end on March 28, 2025, after he successfully served two full terms.
“Accordingly, Dr Ernest Addison has decided to take his accumulated leave, effective February 3, 2025, ahead of his retirement from the Bank on March 28, 2025. This has received the approval of H.E. President John Mahama. The Bank of Ghana thanks the Governor for his meritorious and distinguished service to the Bank and the Republic and wishes Dr Ernest Addison a restful retirement,” the statement said.
The Minority Leader complains about Dr. Johnson Asiama’s appointment as BoG Governor pending consultations with the yet to be formed Council of State. Here is further evidence of the same procedure used to appoint a Chief Executive Officer for the Community Water and Sanitation Agency by Prez Akufo-Addo in 2023.What sayeth him on this too?
Source:
3news.com
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. His comments come after Afenyo-Markin told Dr Johnson Asiama){kind=link}