The 6-page report that the Governor Johnson Asiama-led leadership at the Bank of Ghana presented to Parliament on the cost of the new headquarters of the Bank of Ghana does not raise any issue of regularity, the Minorty Ledare Alexander Afenyo-Markin has said.
Afenyo-Markin conveyed the respect of the Minority to Dr Asiama for going to parliament with those who were in charge of the project to brief parliament.
“The Governor in his introductory remarks indicated that they as a bank have the duty to ensure financial stability and that duty, they will not depart from.
“He has also given us a professional response to the general concerns on the streets of Accra. Indeed to demonstrate transparency he told this house that he came with those in charge of the project and they are available with us to answer questions that may come from the floor.
“In the 6-page report from the governor titled “Report to the 9th Parliament on the New Corporate Headquarters for the Bank of Ghana named the Bank Square dated March 5, 2025.
“Indeed the entire report does not raise any irregularity in respect of the subject matter. The Central Bank Governor relied on this report with a further submission from his prepared note and he has taken us through the step-by-step process and the step-by-step procedures, that the bank followed. I think that is a mark of leadership and on this side of the House (Minority), we convey to you our respect,” Afenyo-Markin told Parliament after Dr Asiama’s briefing.
Dr Johnson Asiama had told Parliament that it would help if an independent body is engaged to do value for money assessment for the new headquarters of the central bank.
He served notice that the BoG will seek the permission of the board to engage the body for the value-for-money audit.
He told Parliament on Wednesday, March 5 that “we have taken note of the questions that all the members asked and as I said the board will delve into these. There are some residual matters that I cannot talk about even aside from the value for money issue given that no value for money has been done so far.
“Given what I have been told by the project team I think it makes sense to get an independent agency, it helps all of us to benchmark so we will seek the authority of the board and as Honourable Mahama Ayariga, Majority Leader has demanded we will get answers to these specific questions after which we are happy to report back to the leadership of Parliament.”
Dr. Johnson Asiama also said the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) had initially valued the project to cost $81.8 million.
Dr. Asiama noted the cost later increased to $121.1 million after a re-evaluation of the project.
“Mr. Speaker the project was initially valued by the PPA at $81.8 million but later increased to $121.1 million after the bank of Ghana requested for re-evaluation,” he said on the floor of the House.
The figure was further revised to $222.8 million after the redesign and inclusion of building management systems.
He revealed that as of February 2025, an amount of $230 million has been paid to the contractor of the new Bank of Ghana building project located at Ridge in Accra.
Dr. Johnson Asiama while addressing Parliament on the cost of the project said currently, there is an outstanding debt of $31.8 million to be paid to the contractor.
“Mr. Speaker as of February this year, a total of $230 million approximately has been paid towards the project with an outstanding of $31.8 million to be paid to the contractor,” he stated.
An amount of $43.8 million has also been paid in taxes and levies that were related to the construction.
The former BoG Governor faced heavy criticism over the project, with the then-Minority in Parliament demanding the resignation of Dr. Ernest Addison and his deputies.
According to Governor Asiama, due to statutory requirements, security needs and sustainability considerations, the total project cost increased to $261.8 million as against the $250 million earlier estimated cost.
He added that separate contracts were awarded for other infrastructure including ICT system and network infrastructure which was awarded at a cost of $8.6 million, Integrated Electronic Security System which was also awarded at a cost of $15.8 million and furniture was also awarded at $11.1 million.
The post BoG New HQ: Governor Asiama’s report does not raise any irregularity issue – Afenyo-Markin first appeared on 3News.
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