Hot!
Bank of Ghana intentionally compromised its independence; sold its birthright to govt – Bokpin
The Bank of Ghana (BoG) intentionally compromised its independence and sold its birthright to the government by exposing itself too much to provide financial assistance to the central government, a Professor at the University of Ghana Business School, Godfred Bokpin, has said.
Prof Bokpin attributed the current financial difficulties that the central banks is facing to the over-exposure to the government.
He stated that the financial challenges that the central bank is facing are undermining confidence in the financial sector.
To him, the Governor, Dr Ernest Addison should have resigned by now.
“We are undermining confidence in our financial system. Remember the central bank could be policy solvent but that doesn’t restore total confidence in our system. If you look at what has happened to the banks, many of them have had to revise their line of credit in terms of corresponding banking in line with the outside
“In any serious society, I believe that maybe the Governor would have advised himself and resigned by now. Even though they find themselves in the situation, I think the central bank intentionally compromised its independence, sold its birthright to the government,” he said in an earlier recorded interview with Alfred Ocansey which was aired on the Ghana Tonight show on TV3 on Tuesday, August 8.
The Minority in Parliament has also demanded the resignation of the Governor and his two deputies – Dr Maxwell Opoku-Afari and Elsie Addo Awadzi.
This was after the Minority Leader Dr Cassiel Ato Forson said Dr Addison is spending $250million to build a new head office for the central bank at time the Bank is in financial difficulties.
Dr Forson accused the Governor of printing money to finance this project because the BoG has no money.
“The Bank of Ghana does not have money but spending GHS250million for a new head office, which means he is printing additional money to finance this project,” Dr Forson said.
He further gave the Governor and his two deputies up to 21 days starting today Tuesday, August 8 to resign after indicating that the governor just prints cash to support the government’s spending.
“We have to get this Governor out and let us have a new Governor. If we allow him to stay in the office, we will set bad precedence for future managers to do the same,” he said at a press conference in Accra on Tuesday, August 8.
Dr Forson stressed, “He has messed us so much that we cannot wait to see his back.”
“We demand the immediate resignation of the Governor and his deputies within 21 days. We will march to occupy the central bank to save the Bank of Ghana if he fails to reign. The March will ensure accountability,” he said.
Dr Forson’s comments follow the GHS60.8billion loss made by the BoG.
The Bank said this is due to the impairment of the Government of Ghana’s securities holdings of ¢48.45 billion, impairment of loans and advances granted to quasi-government and financial institutions amounting to ¢6.12 billion and the depreciation of the local currency resulting in net exchange loss of ¢5.27 billion.
The loss was occasioned by the Government of Ghana Domestic Debt Exchange Programme.
According to the BoG, its Board of Directors and Management assessed the policy solvency implications arising out of the negative net worth position and the group’s ability to continue to generate enough income to cover its monetary policy operations and other operational costs.
In the view of the directors, the Central Bank will continue to operate on a going concern basis due to a variety of factors underpinned by expectations of an improved macroeconomic situation and policy actions specifically targeted at improving its balance sheet.
In its Annual Report, the Central Bank, outlined these measures which it believed would help it recover.
These include: Retention of profits to help rebuild capital until equity firmly returns to positive region.
Refraining from monetary financing of the Government of Ghana’s budget. In this respect, action has already been taken with a Memorandum of Understanding on zero financing of the budget signed between the Bank of Ghana and the Ministry of Finance on 26 April, 2023;
Taking immediate steps to optimise the Bank of Ghana’s investment portfolio and operating cost mix to bolster efficiency and profits; and
Assessing the potential need for recapitalisation support by the government in the medium-to-long term
It furthered that the Board of Directors and Management are of the view that “continued efforts at restoring macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability in addition to long-term efforts at building reserves, provide enough basis for continued operational policy efficiency existence for the foreseeable future”.
indicated that the financial challenges that the central bank is facing are undermining confidence in the financial sector.
To him, the Governor, Dr Ernest Addison should have resigned by now.
“We are undermining confidence in our financial system. Remember the central bank could be policy solvent but that doesn’t restore total confidence in our system. If you look at what has happened to the banks, many of them have had to revise their line of credit in terms of corresponding banking in line with the outside
“In any serious society, I believe that maybe the Governor would have advised himself and resigned by now. Even though they find themselves in the situation, I think the central bank intentionally compromised its independence, sold its birthright to the government,” he said in an earlier recorded interview with Alfred Ocansey which was aired on the Ghana Tonight show on TV3 on Tuesday, August 8.
The Minority in Parliament has also demanded the resignation of the Governor and his two deputies – Dr Maxwell Opoku-Afari and Elsie Addo Awadzi.
This was after the Minority Leader Dr Cassiel Ato Forson said Dr Addison is spending $250million to build a new head office for the central bank at time the Bank is in financial difficulties.
Dr Forson accused the Governor of printing money to finance this project because the BoG has no money.
“The Bank of Ghana does not have money but spending GHS250million for a new head office, which means he is printing additional money to finance this project,” Dr Forson said.
He further gave the Governor and his two deputies up to 21 days starting today Tuesday, August 8 to resign after indicating that the governor just prints cash to support the government’s spending.
“We have to get this Governor out and let us have a new Governor. If we allow him to stay in the office, we will set bad precedence for future managers to do the same,” he said at a press conference in Accra on Tuesday, August 8.
Dr Forson stressed, “He has messed us so much that we cannot wait to see his back.”
“We demand the immediate resignation of the Governor and his deputies within 21 days. We will march to occupy the central bank to save the Bank of Ghana if he fails to reign. The March will ensure accountability,” he said.
Dr Forson’s comments follow the GHS60.8billion loss made by the BoG.
The Bank said this is due to the impairment of the Government of Ghana’s securities holdings of ¢48.45 billion, impairment of loans and advances granted to quasi-government and financial institutions amounting to ¢6.12 billion and the depreciation of the local currency resulting in net exchange loss of ¢5.27 billion.
The loss was occasioned by the Government of Ghana Domestic Debt Exchange Programme.
According to the BoG, its Board of Directors and Management assessed the policy solvency implications arising out of the negative net worth position and the group’s ability to continue to generate enough income to cover its monetary policy operations and other operational costs.
In the view of the directors, the Central Bank will continue to operate on a going concern basis due to a variety of factors underpinned by expectations of an improved macroeconomic situation and policy actions specifically targeted at improving its balance sheet.
In its Annual Report, the Central Bank, outlined these measures which it believed would help it recover.
These include: Retention of profits to help rebuild capital until equity firmly returns to positive region.
Refraining from monetary financing of the Government of Ghana’s budget. In this respect, action has already been taken with a Memorandum of Understanding on zero financing of the budget signed between the Bank of Ghana and the Ministry of Finance on 26 April, 2023;
Taking immediate steps to optimise the Bank of Ghana’s investment portfolio and operating cost mix to bolster efficiency and profits; and
Assessing the potential need for recapitalisation support by the government in the medium-to-long term
It furthered that the Board of Directors and Management are of the view that “continued efforts at restoring macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability in addition to long-term efforts at building reserves, provide enough basis for continued operational policy efficiency existence for the foreseeable future”.
Credit: 3news.com
Ghana’s parliament has marked the 2nd edition of May Day 2026 under the theme “ Welcome Home”.
It was special day meant to celebrate the invaluable support of the workforce, recognizing the commitment, resilience, and contributions of workers to institutional growth and national development.
Delivering the message on behalf of the Speaker, the 1st Deputy Speaker, Bernard Ahiafor, described the theme as very apt, appropriate, and timely, noting that Parliament is more than a workplace, it is a shared home.
He emphasized that we cannot speak about work without speaking about people, reminding everyone that the true measure of our work is the well-being of our people.
He urged that our traditional clothing become an integral part of our everyday clothing, and that our local languages must become integral to our daily lives, interwoven into education and practiced at home.
Referencing Standing Order 63, which captures the use of local language as optional in deliberations, he encouraged a renewed commitment to identity, saying it is significant that we “come home” and present who we are so future generations can inherit a story they can fully tell.
The Clerk, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, in his remarks commended officers for their dedication and devotion to duty, calling on them to go the extra mile and leave legacies.
Echoing the reminder that an unexamined life is not worth living, he described the event as an invitation to reconnect with our roots through cultural revival.
The Deputy Clerk, C&FMS, Dr. Gloria Sarku Kumawu, urged all not to forget their roots, the people behind the stories of ministries, industries, and the strides made both in-house and beyond.
What began last year has now become a meaningful tradition, showcasing Ghanaian heritage, fostering unity, and encouraging innovation under the principle of diversity for unity and diversity for progress, she added.
The gathering brought together leadership, public officials, and staff across all levels, along with the media, standing as a unifying platform that honored service, celebrated culture, and reaffirmed a shared commitment to national development.
Hot!
Manhyia would serve as Ghana’s unifying force …Otumfuo assures on commemoration of 27 years on the Golden Stool
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, last Friday celebrated his 27th enstoolment with a colourful and culture-rich ceremony at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, drawing a distinguished gathering of dignitaries from across Ghana and beyond.
Clad in splendid kente and adorned in rich traditional regalia, the dignitaries added colour and elegance to the occasion, as the palace grounds came alive with a vibrant display of Ghanaian culture.
Traditional drumming, dancing and symbolic rites underscored the deep-rooted heritage of the Ashanti Kingdom, captivating guests and reaffirming the value of tradition in modern society.
Speaking at a high-level Executive Gala organised by the Diaspora Affairs Office of the Office of the President in strategic partnership with the E ON 3 Group, the ‘World-Meets-in-Ghana’ gala, the Asantehene urged Ghanaians to guard against the divisive tendencies of partisan politics.
The event was to honour the Asantehene’s nearly three-decade reign under the theme ‘Advancing Peace and Sustainable Economic Development through Royal Vision’.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II noted that such attitudes threatened the country’s long-standing values of unity, civility and brotherliness.
He assured that Manhyia would continue to serve as a unifying force for the nation.
The celebration also featured the presentation of commemorative gold coins to notable national leaders, including the President, John Dramani Mahama, former Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as well as Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, a former Vice President in recognition of their contributions to peace and national development.
By Spectator Reporter
