The Director of Communications of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah says the conversation to put up a new headquarters for the Bank of Ghana was not something that was borne out of the blue.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, he said the conversation dates back to the 90s before the construction started in 2021.

According to him, when the National Democratic Congress (NDC) was in power, Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson was part of the BoG board at the time that looked for a parcel of land to purchase for the project.

He added that the discussion came up because the bank's current location was swamped with developments.

“The discussion to build a new headquarters started way back in the 90s and I mentioned Dr Ato Forson because he was part of the board that was looking for a parcel of land to buy for this particular purpose when he was there as a board member of the Bank of Ghana,” he emphasised.

According to him, the board got a 20-acre land at Achimota which the board committed to purchase it.

However, the purchase of the plot near Achimota Forest did not follow through, he said, adding that they had to pay a settlement cost of $1.2 million.

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Mr Ahiagbah's comments come after the Bank of Ghana's reported construction of a new office building at Ridge. The Bank in a statement explained that the current Head Office building, which was built in the 1960s by the Nkrumah Government has failed a structural integrity assessment.

It said, the edifice “is no longer fit for purpose and could not stand any major earth tremors” hence the need for a new headquarters.

But the Minority in parliament has condemned the construction of the new edifice, saying it is ill-timed.

Minority Leader Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has questioned why Dr Ernest Addison is spending $250 million to build a new head office for the central bank at a time the Bank is in financial difficulties.

Asked why the government decided to build the new headquarters at a cost of $250 million now and not postpone to later, Mr Ahiagbah said he cannot answer that question, adding that his personal opinion does not matter because he is not the BoG Board.

He noted that the decision to build a new headquarters was an institutional one, explaining that “every leadership that came was committed to getting that dream realised.”

Read also: BoG to blow $250m on new head office amid huge losses – NDC

“So this BoG of Ghana leadership was pursuing legacy project or initiative for the bank they inherited. If any case at all, this leadership actually succeeded in getting land for BoG to start the process.”