The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has initiated investigations into suspected corruption in the procurement process of the new Bank of Ghana headquarters in Accra.

0

The investigation was prompted by a formal petition from Bawku Central MP, Mahama Ayariga, who raised concerns about the substantial increase in project cost without approval from the Public Procurement Authority (PPA).

1

Mr Ayariga alleged the involvement of the Bank's Governor, Deputy Governors, the Board of Directors, and the project contractor, Goldkey Properties Ltd, in suspected corruption activities.

2

“I hereby make a formal complaint to your office to investigate what I believe to be a case of corruption in the procurement of the new headquarters building of the Bank of Ghana at Ridge in Accra. The suspects in this case include the Governor Dr Ernest Addison and Deputy Governors of the Bank of Ghana, namely: (1) Dr Ernest Addisson 1st Deputy Governor, Dr Maxwell Opoku Afari, 2nd Deputy Governor, Mrs Elsie Addo Awadzi.”

3

“The Members of the Board of Directors should also be investigated. The other suspect is the Chief Executive Officer of Messrs. Goldkey Properties Ltd who are the contractors. The project consultants supervising the work should also be investigated.”

4

According to Mr Ayariga, he wrote to the BoG Governor for an explanation, and received a response in a letter dated 22nd August 2023 and referenced SF/GEN/7/2023/75, to the effect that "he is unable to provide me with the full details of the project design variation which has led to the price escalation for reasons of “National Security”."

5

For the Bawku Central MP, "this refusal to explain the price escalation founds my suspicion of corruption in the procurement," his petition to the OSP further read.

6

Meanwhile, the OSP staff has taken Mr Ayariga's statement as part of the investigation, per credible information reaching The Independent Ghana.

7