The Minority Leader’s concerns over Dr. Johnson Asiama’s appointment as Governor of the Bank of Ghana are not only baseless but also expose his deliberate attempt to mislead the public on constitutional procedures.
Contrary to his claims, the president does not require the approval of the Council of State to appoint a governor for the central bank.
The constitutional requirement is for the president to appoint in consultation with the council, which can simply mean notifying them once they are constituted.
What is even more hypocritical is that the same process was used by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2017 to appoint the Administrator of Common Fund, yet Afenyo-Markin, who was in Parliament at the time, saw no issue with it.
His sudden outrage is nothing but political mischief.
The claim that Dr. Asiama has assumed office and is engaging in official duties is a blatant falsehood. Dr. Asiama merely visited the Bank of Ghana to receive briefings from the Deputy Governors and to familiarise himself with the institution’s operations – something that is standard for any incoming appointee.Ghanaian travel experiences
He has not taken any administrative decisions, issued directives, or signed any official documents. Yet, Afenyo-Markin, in his usual exaggerated fashion, is making it seem as though Dr. Asiama has forcefully taken over the Bank. This reckless distortion of facts is characteristic of his increasingly desperate political antics.
Afenyo-Markin’s suggestion that Dr. Asiama should receive briefings outside the normal assumption of office is laughable. Should he stay in his bedroom and receive those briefings? How does he expect a proper transition to take place without engagement with key institutional figures? This is the same process being adopted by all other Chief Executive Officers awaiting Board or Council of State approvals.
His selective outrage is, therefore, not only dishonest but also exposes a clear intent to sabotage Dr. Asiama. After spending eight years doing everything in their power to frustrate him, Afenyo-Markin and his people still seem to have unfinished business against him.
If Afenyo-Markin has any concrete evidence that Dr. Asiama has engaged in administrative decision-making or signed any official document, he should present it. Otherwise, his claims remain nothing more than baseless political noise.
His recent behaviour on the political landscape has been nothing short of nauseating – shouting at every turn without substance, as though being loud equates to being right. The people of Ghana are growing tired of his needlessly cacophonic approach to politics.
It is an open secret that Afenyo-Markin is nursing a presidential ambition beyond 2028, but must he be so reckless in his desperation for attention? His constant attempt to create unnecessary controversy where none exists only highlights his lack of focus on real national issues.
Leadership is not about making noise for relevance; it is about offering solutions. If he wants to be taken seriously, he should start acting like a statesman instead of an attention-seeking obstructionist.
President John Dramani Mahama has acted fully within his constitutional mandate, and Dr. Asiama has done nothing inappropriate. Afenyo-Markin’s latest outburst is just another example of his growing tendency to mislead the public for political gain. Instead of engaging in needless distractions, he should direct his energy toward matters that truly impact the lives of ordinary Ghanaians.
Writer: E. G. Buckman
