Audio By Carbonatix
The Majority Leader in Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, is demanding further accountability from the Central Bank over its new headquarters building in Accra.
Mr Ayariga, who had been vocal in his demand for answers during the NDC's time in opposition, appeared dissatisfied with the explanations and responses from the new Governor and his team when they appeared before Parliament.
Among other things, he questioned why furniture and furnishing at the new head office alone cost $11 million.
His demand for accountability follows revelations made by the new Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Johnson Pandit Asiama, in Parliament on Wednesday, March 5.
Read also: Contract for furnishing of new BoG HQ was awarded at $11.1m – Governor
"How many workers are in the building that it will cost the republic of Ghana $11 million to buy chairs for them to sit?" he asked.
In his statement on the floor, Mr Ayariga questioned why such a large sum was allocated to furnish the new building, given the significant amount already spent on other aspects of the project.
"We want to know, how many workers, how many workers are in the building, for it to cost us $11 million to buy chairs for them to sit", he reiterated.
He noted that, with the total cost of the facility reaching $261.8 million, the $11 million for furniture alone raised concerns, particularly in light of the country’s current economic challenges.
Dr Asiama had disclosed in Parliament that the $11 million was part of a broader expenditure on additional facilities for the new head office, which also included $8.6 million for the Integrated Communication and Computing (ICC) systems, $15.8 million for security systems, and $48.3 million in taxes and levies associated with the construction.
Read also: New BoG building: $230m paid to contractor, $31.8m outstanding – Dr Asiama
While these costs were explained as necessary for modernising the Bank of Ghana's operations, Mr Ayariga’s request for further clarification underscores growing scrutiny over the management of state funds, particularly in the context of public sector spending.
Mr Ayaria emphasised the need to give a detailed explanation from the previous leadership of the bank, demanding transparency over the procurement process for the furniture and other related costs.
Latest Stories
-
Nilex Suites holds first open house ahead of official launch
16 minutes -
We’re far from Ofori-Atta’s extradition – Frank Davies responds to Ablakwa
23 minutes -
Judicial Service, Finance Ministry summoned ahead of JUSAG strike
1 hour -
Takoradi Port to receive largest bulk carrier ever to berth in West Africa
1 hour -
Mane hits winner as Senegal end Salah’s Afcon bid
1 hour -
NLC summons Finance ministry, Judicial service over JUSAG’s 8-month salary arrears
2 hours -
Interior and Education Ministries signs MoU to produce sanitary pads, school uniforms and furniture
2 hours -
GIS to repatriate 8 foreign nationals convicted over illegal activities under guise of QNET
2 hours -
The Republic of Queues: DVLA’s Digital Revolution
2 hours -
ACEP hosts Guinea delegation for three-day peer learning exchange on civil society advocacy
2 hours -
Ofori-Atta’s extradition lies with US courts, not US Executive – Immigration lawyer
2 hours -
PRINCOF postpones resumption date for Colleges of Education
2 hours -
Ghana AI Summit unveils groundbreaking AI Challenge to solve national problems with homegrown data
2 hours -
US announces start of phase two of Gaza peace plan
2 hours -
PCM Capital Partners exits First Atlantic Bank through oversubscribed GSE IPO
3 hours
