Story by: RACHEL QUARTEY
The Minority Caucus in Parliament is set to hold another demonstration against the Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Dr Ernest Addison, following an unsuccessful attempt to present their petition during the first protest.
On Tuesday, October 3, 2023, a coalition comprising minority MPs, NDC supporters, and various interest groups organised the #OccupyBoG demonstration in Accra, demanding the resignations of Dr Addison and his deputies over allegations of economic mismanagement and unauthorised currency printing.
During that protest, the Minority’s effort to directly hand over their petition to the Governor was thwarted, as it was received by the head of the bank’s security. This action did not go down well with the opposition lawmakers and the accompanying crowd, who, among others, demanded direct engagement with the Governor over issues concerning the central bank’s policies and operations.
The Minority Caucus is now ready to stage another march. The upcoming protest is scheduled to commence at Obra Spot, a popular starting point for demonstrations in Accra. From there, the protesters plan to march through notable locations, including Farisco, Kingsway, and Rawlings Park, and finally end at the BoG headquarters, where they hope to submit their petition to the Governor himself.
Reliable sources have confirmed that the protest will be led by the MP for Bawku Central, Mr. Mahama Ayariga, after the necessary authorization and clearance have been obtained from the police.
Mr Ayariga, known for his vocal stance on economic and financial issues, is expected to spearhead this upcoming demonstration, rallying supporters and calling for transparency and accountability from the central bank.
Reasons for the protest include concerns over monetary policies, inflation, and the overall management of the country’s financial system. The Minority contends that these issues have not been adequately addressed, warranting another round of demonstrations to press their demands.
The NDC MP, Mr. Ayariga, has been on a longstanding crusade to hold the BoG Governor accountable through a series of demands and petitions to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and other relevant state bodies regarding the bank’s debts, construction of the new Head Office complex, and the Governor’s multi-million-dollar residence, among other issues.
