Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, a member of parliament representing North Tongu Constituency, has strongly disagreed with remarks made by Dr. Ernest Addison, governor of the Bank of Ghana, regarding the minority-organized #OccupyBOG Protest that just ended.
Instead of using insults, Ablakwa urged the governor to express regret and extend an apology to Ghanaians.
Dr. Addison argued for a more refined method of handling issues in an interview with Central Banking, calling the protests pointless.
Ablakwa responded to the governor’s position on TV3’s Ghana Tonight, denouncing the governor’s remarks as provocative, unkind, and condescending.
“These are very provocative words, uncharitable, very discourteous, condescending, and I’m struggling to believe are quotes attributed to the Governor… if he said this, then it will confirm his continuous contempt that the Governor has for Parliament, for the Ghanaian people, and for the laws of our country.”
Ablakwa emphasized the difficulties the Central Bank was having financially, claiming technical insolvency and unheard-of losses of GHS60.8 billion. He charged Dr. Addison with violating the Bank of Ghana Act by printing GHS77 billion without receiving parliamentary approval.
Given the seriousness of the allegations, Ablakwa contends that the governor ought to express regret as opposed to insults. He drew attention to President Akufo-Addo‘s rise to fame through protests, arguing that referring to demonstrators as “hooligans” also applies to the president.
“After all, if this governor has the courage to speak, he will not be contrite, be apologetic to plead with the Ghanaian people, but he is insulting us. That it is hooligans, uncivilized people who go for demonstrations?… Is he aware that his boss rose to fame based on demonstrations? Then he is also calling President Akufo-Addo a hooligan,” he added.
Ablakwa reaffirmed that the minority would work to hold the governor accountable for his actions by pursuing accountability.
“I can assure you that the Governor is not going to get away with this. I’m glad we have served notice that these demonstrations will continue. I hope the Office of the special prosecutor takes this one on.”
On Tuesday, October 3, 2023, the Minority in Parliament organized the #OccupyBOG Protest to call for the resignation of the Bank of Ghana Governor and his appointees due to alleged mismanagement of the Central Bank.
