The attacks on the Bank of Ghana (BoG) by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and their Minority in Parliament for the GH¢60.8billion loss, are unfounded, Deputy Minister of Trade And Industry Dr Stephen Amoah has said.
Dr Amaoh said that the central bank has stated clearly the causes of the problems.
The Minority Leader Dr Cassiel Ato Forson had accused the Akufo-Addo administration of preparing the grounds for the collapse of the financial sector.
He said the government has been reckless in the management of the economy which has pushed the Bank of Ghana into financial difficulties. Their recklessness and mismanagement, he said, have cost the nation.
He said these at the Moment of Truth press conference by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Tuesday, August 8.
“The government of Ghana has so recklessly mismanaged the BoG,” he added. The former Deputy Finance Minister added “The Bank of Ghana recorded GHS60.8 billion loss in 2022.”
The Minority also demanded the resignation of the Governor of the Bank of Ghana Dr Ernest Addion and his two deputies.
“We demand the immediate resignation of the Governor and his deputies within 21 days. We will march to occupy the central bank to save the Bank of Ghana if he fails to reign. The March will ensure accountability,” he said.
But speaking on News 360 on TV3 Wednesday, August 9 Dr Stephen Amoah who is also a Member of Parliament for Nyiaeso said “Whether NPP or NDC in government we keep on trying hard to undermine the work that the other person or their fraternity is doing just because of political power.
“Check all over the world whether this convention or practice is not done. Bank of Ghana has come out clearly to indicate the resources or the sources of all these exposures naming marketable instruments, nonmarketable instruments, and those of COCOBOD.”
A Deputy Minister of Finance John Kumah earlier appealed to Ghanaians to ignore the claim by the Minority that the Bank of Ghana has collapsed.
He said the Bank is solid and is capable of performing its core function.
In a statement reacting to the Minority, John Kumah who is also a lawmaker for Ejisu said that “Ignore this funny NDC Propaganda about the collapse of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) . BoG is Solid ! The NDC is funny! It’s not true that a recapitalization levy is to be introduced for BoG , the Central Bank hasn’t collapsed.
“The main source of income to the Bank is from government transactions i.e. fees and charges on all government transfers, the bank’s investments in marketable instruments and also earnings from non-marketable holdings of the Bank. Given that government transactions have gone down, naturally, the income of the bank will go down. Also, because of the debt restructuring, earnings on their holdings on markable and non-marketable bonds will go down.
“Beyond this, the Bank is solid and is capable of performing its core function. Article 183 clause 2 (c) of the 1992 constitution enjoins the Bank of Ghana to promote and encourage economic development in the country, hence there is nothing untoward in the actions of the Central Bank to support the state in its economic recovery efforts. It is important to further highlight that a negative balance sheet by a Central Bank is not unusual, in fact most Central Banks around the world run negative balances to achieve the overall economic anchor objectives of a Central Bank. ‘History clearly illustrates this. Several central banks had negative equity yet fully met their objectives – for example, the central banks of Chile, Czechia, Israel and Mexico experienced years of negative capital. But throughout, financial and price stability were maintained.’ – Bank For International Settlements Bulletin No.68.
“According to Nordstrom and Vredin (2022), a central bank’s credibility depends on its ability to achieve its mandates. Losses do not jeopardize that ability and are sometimes the price to pay for achieving its aims.
“Such propaganda and unnecessary attacks at the central bank only result in increased market volatility, panic selling of assets, and can trigger a chain of events that can affect our overall economic stability.”