The Minister-designate for Government Communication, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has told the Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin that former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo used the same approach that President John Dramani Mahama has used in appointing Dr Johnson Asiama as Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG).
His comments come after Afenyo-Markin told Dr Johnson Asiama to stop holding himself as Governor until approved by the Council of State.
The Minority Leader had said that while awaiting confirmation, Dr Asiama can seek any necessary briefings outside the formal assumption of office.
Dr Asiama on Monday, February 3 formally assumed office and held his maiden meeting with senior executives of the central bank.
In a letter to President John Dramani Mahama dated February 3, 2025, Mr Afenyo-Markin said “I refer to the announcement from the Ag. Spokesperson to the President, Hon Felix Kwakye Ofosu on the above subject and dated Friday, January 31, 2025. The announcement states that the President has nominated Dr. Johnson Asiama to serve as Governor of the Bank of Ghana pending approval by the Council of State.
However, Your Excellency, reports from various media houses today, Monday, February 3, 2025, indicate that Dr. Asiamah has proceeded to the Bank of Ghana and, in all intents and purposes, has assumed office as Governor, engaging in meetings and official activities. With all due respect, Your Excellency, it is concerning that an individual who has merely been nominated and whose appointment is still pending approval by the Council of State has taken on the responsibilities of the office in the absence of such approval. This raises serious procedural and constitutional concerns, particularly given that the Council of State has not yet been constituted.
“It is worth considering the precedent this sets. If, for instance, a judicial nominee were to take their seat in court and begin administering justice before receiving the necessary approvals from the Judicial Council, it would be widely deemed inappropriate. The same principle must apply in this instance.
Furthermore, should the Council of State, upon its constitution, decide against approving Dr. Asiama’s nomination, what measures will be taken to address the actions he has already undertaken in his assumed capacity?
“Your Excellency, it is my considered view that Dr. Johnson Asiama should refrain from engaging in official duties at the Bank of Ghana until his nomination has been duly approved by the Council of State. While awaiting confirmation, he can seek any necessary briefings outside the formal assumption of office. I trust that due attention will be given to this matter to uphold the integrity of our institutional processes.”
However, reacting to the Minority Leader, the Minister designated for Government Communication, Felix Kwakye Ofosu said in a post on his X page that “The Minority Leader complains about Dr. Johnson Asiama’s appointment as BoG Governor pending consultations with the yet-to-be-formed Council of State.
“Here is the same procedure used to appoint the Common Fund Administrator by Prez Akufo-Addo in 2017.What sayeth him on this?”
