The Minority in Parliament has formally informed the Greater Accra Regional Police Commander of their intention to stage a public protest on Tuesday, September 5, 2023.
The demonstration, in collaboration with Civil Society Organizations, Progressive Forces, and concerned citizens, is to express their dissatisfaction and voice their grievances regarding alleged financial mismanagement at the Bank of Ghana (BoG).
Hon. Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minority Leader, conveyed the purpose of the protest in a notice submitted to the police, stating, “The purpose of this protest is to express our revulsion against the illegal printing of money (about GH¢80 billion) between 2021 and 2022 by BoG for the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/NPP government, which led to a hyper-inflation rate of 54.1% in December 2022.”
He further noted that this alleged action had severe consequences, causing economic difficulties and pushing around 850,000 Ghanaians into poverty in 2022 alone.
The Minority leader voiced strong condemnation of what he termed “crass mismanagement and reckless mishandling of the affairs of the Bank of Ghana.”
The statement asserted that this mismanagement resulted in substantial losses, with GH¢60.8 billion and negative equity of GH¢55.1 billion recorded in 2022.
These financial challenges, according to the statement, have had significant adverse effects on the lives of Ghanaians.
The notice to the police, made in accordance with sections 1, 2, and 3 of the Public Order Act 1994 (Act 491), outlined the planned protest route and details.
The march is scheduled to commence at 8:00 am and continue until 6:00 pm, with the starting point at the frontage of Parliament House.
The route will then proceed through Osu Cemetery Traffic Light, Ministry of Finance, High Court Complex Kinbu, Makola, Rawlings Park, Opera Square, and conclude at the Bank of Ghana.
The participants’ final destination, the frontage of the Bank of Ghana, will serve as the site for picketing, where the demonstrators will call for the immediate resignation of the Governor, Deputy Governors, and the Board of Directors of the Bank.
The protestors will demand accountability for what they allege are acts of financial malfeasance as detailed in the 2022 Annual Report and Financial Statement of the Bank.