Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has called on Dr. Johnson Asiama, nominated by President John Dramani Mahama to serve as Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), to refrain from assuming the responsibilities of the position until his appointment is approved by the Council of State.

Afenyo-Markin’s comments came after Dr. Asiama, who was nominated for the role on January 31, 2025, officially took office on February 3, meeting with senior executives at the central bank. The Minority Leader expressed concern that Dr. Asiama had begun performing official duties despite the fact that his nomination was still pending approval by the Council of State.

In a letter to President Mahama, Afenyo-Markin raised questions about the procedural and constitutional implications of Dr. Asiama’s actions. He likened the situation to a judicial nominee assuming their position before receiving the necessary approval, which would be widely deemed inappropriate.

Afenyo-Markin urged that Dr. Asiama be prohibited from carrying out official duties until the Council of State has formally approved his nomination, though he suggested that Dr. Asiama could receive briefings during this waiting period.

Responding to the Minority Leader’s concerns, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Minister-designate for Government Communication, pointed out that similar procedures had been followed in past appointments, referencing the appointment of the Common Fund Administrator under President Akufo-Addo’s administration in 2017.

Dr. Asiama, who previously served as the Bank of Ghana’s Second Deputy Governor between 2016 and 2017, was nominated after the current Governor, Dr. Ernest Addison, began his terminal leave on February 3 ahead of his retirement in March.

Source:TheDotNews