We’ll be back; Addison must receive the petition himself – Ato Forson

The #OccupyBank of Ghana protesters have refused to hand over their petition to representatives of the central bank.

The Minority Leader, Cassiel Ato Forson, who led the protest on Tuesday, October 3, said he finds the action of the BoG Governor, Ernest Addison completely disrespectful.

The protesters’ reaction comes after Mr. Addison’s failure to meet the protesters in person and sent his Head of Security, Wing Commander Kwame Asare Boateng, in his stead.

Retired Wing Commander Boateng explained that the BoG Governor and his deputies are currently in a crunch meeting with the IMF, thus their failure to appear before them.

In order to ensure the BoG Governor receives the petition himself, the peeved protesters said they would be back on another day to present the petition.

“It is very disrespectful not to receive the petition himself. Not even the deputy is here, and we never said we were going to present our petition to the head of security. They have actually mismanaged the affairs of the central bank. Today, we say enough is enough…you are not the one responsible for the mess so we’ll not give you our petition,” he said.

Adding his voice, the North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, said it is clearly a reflection of the disdain and disregard they have for the Ghanaian populace.

He wondered why the BoG Governor and his deputies would choose to meet the International Monetary Fund (IMF) team over the good people of Ghana.

The Ningo Prampram MP, Samuel Nartey George, also described their absence as unfortunate.

“I am offended that he will send the watchman to come and receive a petition on monetary policy. He said he is a retired wing commander, so what is he doing here? His business is to fly planes. I mean what has he got to do with monetary policy and inflation rate?

“I mean this is a good indication of where we are. He has called for war and he will get it big time. He dare not step in Parliament,” he stressed.

The highly anticipated protest which has been postponed on several occasions is against the Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Dr. Ernest Addison, and his deputies.

Per an earlier letter, the minority said the primary focus of the protest is the central bank’s alleged printing of over 80 billion Ghana cedis for the Akufo-Addo government.

They highlighted that this action has contributed to a hyperinflation rate of 54.1% in December 2022, leading to severe economic challenges for Ghanaians.

Furthermore, the caucus indicated that the central bank’s actions have resulted in approximately 850,000 Ghanaians being pushed into abject poverty.

According to the minority, these actions led to significant losses for the institution, including a loss of GH¢60.8 billion and negative equity of GH¢5.1 billion in 2022.