The Minority in Parliament has strongly opposed the nomination of Dr. Johnson Asiamah as Governor of the Bank of Ghana, citing constitutional breaches and unresolved criminal allegations against him.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at Bantama Market, Dr. Gideon Boako, Member of Parliament for Tano South, expressed concerns over Dr. Asiamah’s premature assumption of office and the legal risks his appointment poses to Ghana’s financial sector.
Dr. Boako argued that per Article 183(4)(a) of the Constitution, Dr. Asiamah’s appointment requires prior consultation with the Council of State. However, he alleged that despite the Council of State not being constituted, Dr. Asiamah has already begun executing duties as Governor, holding meetings and making decisions at the central bank.
“How is it possible for someone who has not been duly appointed to start work as Governor? What if the Council of State does not approve his nomination? Would his actions at the Bank of Ghana be considered legal?” Dr. Boako questioned.
Criminal Allegations Against Dr. Asiamah
The Minority also raised serious concerns regarding Dr. Asiamah’s past legal troubles. He was previously standing trial for various charges, including fraudulent breach of trust, money laundering, conspiracy to commit crime, and violations of the Bank of Ghana Act. These charges, according to the Minority, were controversially withdrawn by President John Mahama just days before Dr. Asiamah’s nomination.
Dr. Boako argued that allowing Dr. Asiamah to assume office before fully clearing his name sets a dangerous precedent.
“If approved, he will be in charge of the same financial sector where he was previously accused of criminal misconduct. How can he be trusted to uphold financial integrity when his past actions are still under question?” he stated.
The Minority recalled a statement issued by the Bank of Ghana in 2019, which criticized Dr. Asiamah’s handling of the collapse of UT Bank and Capital Bank. According to Dr. Boako, the central bank at the time accused him of failing to act in the best interest of depositors, employees, and the financial sector.
Call for IMF Intervention
The Minority has vowed to escalate the issue to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), given that Dr. Asiamah, if confirmed, will represent Ghana on the IMF Board of Governors. They believe his appointment could damage Ghana’s international financial reputation and lead to increased scrutiny from global financial institutions.
“How will the IMF and international financial bodies perceive Ghana if one of our key financial negotiators has a history of criminal charges? Will global financial institutions be comfortable engaging with him?” Dr. Boako asked.
The Minority called on President Mahama to either allow the legal process to run its course or withdraw Dr. Asiamah’s nomination until all allegations against him are properly addressed.
The opposition has pledged to take further actions, including officially petitioning the IMF and other global financial institutions, to ensure that Ghana’s financial integrity is protected.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
