Business News of Monday, 22 January 2018
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
2018-01-22
Dr. Ernest Addison is Governor of the Central Bank
Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Ernest Addison has spoken for the first time since his former second deputy, Dr. Johnson Asiama resigned from office on January 1, 2018.
Dr. Asiama allegedly resigned from office after he was queried about printing of new notes which he reportedly admitted it happened, but explained that officials of the presidency at the time, mounted pressure on him to okay the deal.
But his Lawyer, Victor Kojoga Adawudu claimed his client was forced out of his job saying that “for the unfair treatment meted out to Dr Johnson Asiama by persons he did not name, he would not have resigned.”
Responding to a question on what probably could have occasioned the resignation of his former second deputy, Dr. Ernest Addison denied reports that his outfit mounted pressure on the former deputy to resign, adding that he is the last person to cause Dr. Asiama’s resignation.
“I think the important thing is that I have been known to have been saying that for the first time all the three Governors of the Bank were from within. I was quite proud to have all the three governors from the research department when I was in charge. So I am the last person to make him (Dr. Asiamah) feel uncomfortable,” Dr. Addison explained.
He further noted that government is yet to nominate a replacement to fill the vacant position.
Meanwhile government has tasked those who claim it forced the 2nd Deputy Governor of the BoG, Dr. Johnson Asiama out of the office to seek further details from the appropriate quarters, denying any underhand dealings in the matter.
Policy rate
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Bank of Ghana has maintained the policy rate at 20 percent.
The decision was announced at the media briefing to conclude the MPC’s annual meetings on Monday, January 22, 2018.
The MPC last year, reduced the policy rate by 550 basis points.
In 2017, the figure went down from 25.5 percent in January to 20 percent as at November 2017.