The Minister of State in charge of Government Communication-designate, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has criticised Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader, over his letter to President John Dramani Mahama challenging the constitutionality of the appointment of Dr. Johnson Asiamah as the new Bank of Ghana (BoG) Governor.

Kwakye Ofosu questioned the Minority Leader’s basis for raising his concerns, referencing how the same procedure that Afenyo-Markin is complaining about was used by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in appointing Irene Naa Toshie Addo as the Administrator of the District Assemblies Common Fund in 2017.

According to Kwakye Ofosu, the Member of Parliament of Abura Asebu-Kwamankese, Afenyo-Markin cannot complain about the procedure now when he did not raise any objections when President Akufo-Addo followed the same process.

He maintained that President Mahama did not err in his appointment of the new BOG Governor, urging Afenyo-Markin not to raise issues that would waste Ghanaians' time.

“The Minority Leader complains about Dr. Johnson Asiamah's appointment as BoG Governor pending consultations with the yet-to-be-formed Council of State. Here is the same procedure used to appoint the Common Fund Administrator by President Akufo-Addo in 2017. What sayeth him on this?

“Here is another one for Afenyo-Markins to ponder. No wrong was done here and no wrong has been done in the case of Dr. Johnson Asiamah. Let him not waste everyone's time,” he posted on X on February 4, 2025.

The Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, raised concerns regarding the nomination and assumed role of Dr. Johnson Asiamah as the new Governor of the Bank of Ghana.

Dr. Asiamah’s appointment, which took effect after Governor Ernest Addison proceeded on terminal leave on February 3, 2025, is still pending approval by the Council of State.

In a letter addressed to President John Dramani Mahama and dated February 3, 2025, Afenyo-Markin questioned the constitutionality of Dr. Asiamah’s appointment, citing the lack of approval from the Council of State.

He noted that the President's Acting Spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, announced Dr. Asiamah's nomination on January 31, 2025, however, subsequent reports from media outlets indicate that Dr. Asiamah has already assumed the duties of governor, engaging in meetings and official activities at the Bank of Ghana.

Afenyo-Markin highlighted that Dr. Asiamah’s assumption of office without the constitutionally-required approval from the Council of State raises procedural and constitutional concerns, drawing a parallel with judicial appointments.

"With all due respect, Your Excellency, it is concerning that an individual who has merely been nominated—and whose appointment is still pending approval by the Council of State—has taken on the responsibilities of the office in the absence of such approval. This raises serious procedural and constitutional concerns, particularly given that the Council of State has not yet been constituted," Afenyo-Markin wrote.

He argued that it would be deemed inappropriate for a judicial nominee to begin administering justice without the necessary approvals from the Judicial Council, emphasising that the same principle should apply to the Bank of Ghana appointment.

"It is worth considering the precedent this sets. If, for instance, a judicial nominee were to take their seat in court and begin administering justice before receiving the necessary approvals from the Judicial Council, it would be widely deemed inappropriate. The same principle must apply in this instance.

"Furthermore, should the Council of State, upon its constitution, decide against approving Dr. Asiamah’s nomination, what measures will be taken to address the actions he has already undertaken in his assumed capacity?" Afenyo-Markin questioned.

The Minority Leader, therefore, called on President Mahama to address the matter and ensure that institutional processes are respected.

He also advised the new BoG Governor to refrain from engaging in official duties at the Bank of Ghana until his nomination receives formal approval.

The Minority Leader complains about Dr. Johnson Asiama's appointment as BoG Governor pending consultations with the yet to be formed Council of State. Here is the same procedure used to appoint the Common Fund Administrator by Prez Akufo-Addo in 2017.What sayeth him on this? pic.twitter.com/oIQxxsByiw

— Felix Kwakye Ofosu (@FelixKwakyeOfo1) February 4, 2025

Here is another one for Afenyo-Markins to ponder. No wrong was done here and no wrong has been done in the case of Dr. Johnson Asiamah.Let him not waste everyone's time. pic.twitter.com/CGVw8nWPDp

— Felix Kwakye Ofosu (@FelixKwakyeOfo1) February 4, 2025