The Forum for Development and Accountable Governance (FDAG) has hit back at claims made by Member of Parliament (MP) for Tano North, Dr. Gideon Boako, regarding the appointment of Dr. Johnson Asiama as Governor of the Bank of Ghana, urging political figures to seek legal redress if they believe due process was not followed.

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In a statement signed by its Senior Research Fellow, Nana Kojo Abbam, the civil society group dismissed Dr. Boako’s assertions as legally flawed, emphasizing that the President is not bound by the Council of State’s advice when making such appointments.

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Citing legal precedents, FDAG referenced the Supreme Court’s ruling in Agyei Twum v. Attorney General & Akwetey (2005), which clarified that consultation with the Council of State is merely advisory.

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“This means that while the Council’s input is valuable, the President retains ultimate discretion,” the statement read.

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The group also pointed out that past administrations had appointed officials before completing formal consultations with the Council of State, making Dr. Boako’s concerns baseless.

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“If any individual/party believes a constitutional breach has occurred, the appropriate recourse is a legal challenge in court, not public declarations that distort the law,” FDAG asserted.

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FDAG further condemned what it described as politically motivated attacks on Dr. Asiama’s integrity, warning that such tactics discourage competent professionals from serving in public office.

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“It is important to note that the charges previously brought against Dr. Asiama were withdrawn by the Attorney General due to lack of evidence. This means that after a thorough investigation, the legal authorities found no grounds to prosecute him. If new evidence has emerged, the appropriate course of action is to present it before the courts, rather than engaging in public trials through political statements,” the statement stressed.

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The group expressed concern over a growing trend of individuals being subjected to reputational damage based on political affiliations rather than legal findings, warning that such practices undermine the credibility of Ghana’s governance institutions.

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Highlighting Dr. Asiama’s achievements, FDAG credited him with playing a critical role in strengthening Ghana’s banking sector, particularly in deposit protection and governance reforms.

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“One of his most significant contributions was his leadership in the designing and implementation of the Deposit Protection Act, 2016 (Act 931), which established the Ghana Deposit Insurance Corporation (GDIC),” FDAG noted.

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The group further stated that, as Deputy Governor in charge of supervision at the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Asiama laid the foundation for the Corporate Governance Directive, later issued in 2018.

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“This directive has since strengthened governance frameworks in Ghana’s banking sector, enhancing risk management, strategic planning, and board and management competencies. Insiders at the Bank of Ghana acknowledge that this critical reform began under Dr. Asiama’s leadership before the change in government in 2016 which led to his contract termination,” the statement added.

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FDAG urged political figures to engage in constructive and evidence-based discussions rather than resorting to accusations that weaken institutions.

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“FDAG calls for a more responsible and measured approach to political discourse, particularly regarding appointments to key institutions. Public accountability must be pursued through legal and institutional mechanisms, not through media trials and speculative accusations,” the group emphasized.

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With the debate surrounding Dr. Asiama’s appointment still ongoing, FDAG maintained that any legal objections should be pursued in court rather than in the public arena.

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