The Minority Caucus in Parliament and the National Democratic Congress is set to embark on its much anticipated #OccupyBOGProtest today, Tuesday 3rd October 2023.
According to the Minority Caucus, the purpose of its protest is to express its revulsion against the illegal printing of money (about GH₵80 billion) between 2021 and 2022 by Bank of Ghana for President Akufo-Addo, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and the New Patriotic Party administration which led to a hyper-inflation rate of 54.1% in December 2022.
According to the Minority Caucus, the singular act of the Bank of Ghana has negatively impacted livelihoods and businesses and pushed over 850,000 Ghanaians into poverty in the year 2022 alone.
“As representatives of the Ghanaian people, the Minority in Parliament says it is disgusted by the crass mismanagement and reckless mishandling of the affairs of the Bank of Ghana, which resulted in a gargantuan loss of GH₵60.8 billion and negative equity of GH₵55.1 billion in 2022, with its attendant hardships on Ghanaians”.
Minority Caucus in Parliament
Given the above, the Minority dsclosed it is embarking on a #OccupyBOGProtest to express its displeasure towards the many acts of financial malfeasance by the Governor, his Deputies and Directors of the Bank of Ghana as contained in the 2022 Annual Report and Financial Statement of the Bank.
The Minority in Parliament is embarking on the protest in collaboration with Civil Society Organizations, Progressive Forces and other well-meaning Ghanaians.
Police Agrees With Minority On The Route For Its Protest
The Ghana Police Service at a news conference on Monday, October 2, announced that it would allow the #OccupyBoG protesters to march as far as the National Lottery Authority and make a U-turn towards the Independence Square where they are to terminate their procession.
The Service justified this decision by insisting that the area beyond the National Lottery Authority, particularly the Bank of Ghana premises, is a security zone and so allowing such a large procession into the vicinity could potentially pose a risk to national security.
While the Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson disagrees with the position of the police, he noted the National Democratic Congress will respect that boundary.
He, however, expects that the police will allow the Minority leadership and Members of Parliament to march into the central bank where the Governor, Mr. Addison is, to present their petition to him.
The Ghana Police Service has assured that it is adequately prepared and has enough contingents to deploy for the #OccupyBoGProtest which is scheduled for today, Tuesday, October 3.
Speaking at a press conference at the Police Headquarters in preparation for the protest, the Director of the Police Public Affairs Directorate, Assistant Commissioner of Police Grace Ansah-Akrofi said the police have prepared and trained adequately for the protest.
The Caucus is demanding the resignation of Central Bank’s governor and his deputies over GH¢60 billion losses the bank recorded in the 2022 fiscal year.
The converging point according to Minority is Obra Spot, where the protest shall commence and follow the agreed route below; Obra Spot – Adabraka – Ridge Roundabout – National Theatre Traffic Light – High Court Complex Traffic Light – Atta Mills Highway – U-Turn to Independence Square.
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