Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has cautioned the Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Dr. Johnson Asiama, to maintain the independence of his office and avoid being used as a “political football.”
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, March 5, Afenyo-Markin emphasized the importance of the Governor’s role in the economy and warned against selective scrutiny of the central bank’s actions.
“I recall that in the 2015 State of the Nation Address, Mr. President [John Dramani Mahama] raised concerns about poor supervision of the banking sector by the Bank of Ghana. The governor today was the deputy governor then. Are we now picking and choosing which matters we want the governor to brief us on?” Afenyo-Markin questioned.
Afenyo-Markin’s comments came amid ongoing debates over the BoG’s new headquarters building, with the Minority opposing the session, arguing that due process had not been followed, while the Majority defended its legitimacy.
The Minority Leader urged Dr. Asiama to resist political influence, stating, “Mr. Governor, don’t make yourself a tool for political football. The role of the governor of the central bank is critical to the economy of this country. I do not want to politicise the office of the governor, and I urge others to do the same”.
The MP for Effutu also called on the Majority in Parliament to approach economic discussions with caution, emphasizing that their handling of such matters could have significant consequences for Ghana’s financial stability.
His remarks highlighted the need for careful consideration and non-partisan decision-making in matters related to the economy.
-BY Issah Olegor
