The Minority in Parliament has taken a strong exception to the nomination of Dr. Johnson Asiama as the next Governor of the Bank of Ghana and his subsequent conduct pending his approval.
The minority, led by Dr. Gideon Boako says the new acting Governor has too many skeletons in his wardrobe which makes him unfit as the chief of the country’s apex bank.
President John Dramani Mahama nominated the former second deputy governor after the Governor, Dr. Ernest Addison proceeded to his terminal leave leading to his retirement. The announcement by the presidency indicated that Dr. Asiama’s nomination is subject to the approval of the Council of State.
However few days after Dr. Addison proceeded on leave, the new nominee resumed work at the Central Bank, a move which the minority is outrightly condemning.
The NPP minority argues that Dr. Asiama has no legal basis to resume work since his appointment has not been approved by the Council of State which is yet to be constituted.
At best, the minority says he can only take briefings as he awaits official approval and not take over the bank as he has done. In his current capacity, Dr. Gideon Boako says he has no authority to make decisions and offer approval for anything concerning the bank.
“How it is possible for someone who has not yet been appointed but only nominated awaiting consultation with the Council of State to start work, and indeed when the Council of State has not even been constituted? Would he have the authority and mandate to take decisions and approve anything that comes to the bank? Would any decision taken by Dr. Asiama as he has taken office have legal authority? Wouldn’t this expose the bank to legal risks?,” the Member of Parliament for Tano North quizzed in a media briefing on Wednesday.
The upheaved minority is also questioning the suitability of Dr. Johnson Asiama for such a high office in the country’s financial sector given his track record. They cannot fathom how a former worker of the bank who stood trial for criminal offenses during his tenure be fit for the governorship role.
Dr. Asiamah stood trial for his conduct during his term as the second deputy governor charged with various criminal offenses, including fraudulent breach of trust, money laundering, conspiracy to commit crime, and violations of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) Act.
A few days before his nomination by the President, the new attorney general dropped all these charges.
But the Minority find these circumstances very bizarre. The discontinuation of the case without getting to its logical conclusion raises serious fit-for-purpose concerns for Dr. Asiama. In their view, there is the possibility of a deliberate attempt by the government to conceal the past of the new governor hence the decision to drop all charges.
“It is in the interest of both the state, government, and Dr. Asiama himself to establish whether or not he is guilty of the crimes he has been charged with,” the Economic Adviser to the former president insisted.
He added, “We firmly believe that President Mahama should allow the charges against Dr. Asiama to stand even as he carries his duties as the Governor when he is finally approved. The action by the president gives us cause to believe that Dr. Asiama is not clean.”
The minority is concerned that this development has high implications for Ghana’s international reputation. In their view, it is unconscionable for Ghana’s foremost person in financial matters to be “perceived as a potential criminal convict charged with various acts of criminalities.”
In view of these developments, the group has resolved to make a formal report to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to draw attention to these matters.
It is unclear how Dr. Asiamah, the IMF, and the government will respond to these integrity and legal conduct concerns raised going forward.
