The first deputy governor of the Bank of Ghana, Emmanuel Asiedu-Mantey is to act as governor until a substantive head of the Central Bank is appointed.

A statement signed by James Odei, Secretary of the Bank said this followed the voluntary retirement of the Governor, Dr Kwabena Duffuor with effect from August 20.

The Minister of Finance, Yaw Osafo-Maafo said on August 15 that the government was in the process of appointing a new Governor because Dr Duffuor had decided to quit.

Dr Duffour, whose four-year term expired on July 16, informed President John Agyekum Kufuor of his decision not to renew his contract in a letter last month.

Osafo-Maafo said President Kufuor has already made nominations for consideration by the Council of State and expressed the hope that a new Central Bank Chief would be appointed soon.

Several names, including Dr Paul Acquah who works with the International

Monetary Fund, have come up as front-runners.