Is BoG seriously saying after over $220m spent, project is at 41%? - Bright Simons probes

The Vice President of policy think tank, IMANI Africa, Bright Simons, has raised concerns regarding the progress and costs associated with the construction of the new headquarters of the Bank of Ghana (BoG).

In a tweet, the vice president of IMANI Africa, Bright Simons voiced his opinions on the evasiveness of the Bank of Ghana in disclosing details about the costs and procurement processes related to its new head office.

“After Opposition MPs went frontal on the Bank of Ghana's evasiveness on the cost & procurement of its new head office, some facts are emerging.

“But Ghana really needs to get serious! Is BoG seriously saying that after more than $220m spent, the building is still just 50% done???” he quizzed.

Earlier, the minority in parliament led by Dr Cassiel Ato Forson accused the governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Ernest Addison, of spending $250 million on the new office complex for the central bank at the time it recorded GH¢ 60 billion loss in 2022.

They argue that the governor and his two deputies have connived to collapse the economy and worsen the economic plight in the country.

In his analysis, Bright Simons raised further concerns about the projected completion and the allocation of resources within the project.

He pointed out that the original budget has been exceeded threefold, leading to a situation where the building remains 50% complete despite being over budget.

He likened the situation to the controversial National Cathedral project.

“That even after completion most of the high-value features like the data center will be postponed. After the original budget has tripled? Effectively, a $220m shell of a building is 3x over budget & still at 50% completion. What kind of project management is that? Another cathedral?” he questioned.

Meanwhile, the minority and some other CSOs have given the governor of the central bank, Dr Ernest Addison, and his deputies a 21-day ultimatum to resign or face their wrath.

With the 21 days given, the governor has only 9 days more to the ultimatum given by the minority.

NW/OGB

Ghana’s leading digital news platform, GhanaWeb, in conjunction with the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, is embarking on an aggressive campaign which is geared towards ensuring that parliament passes comprehensive legislation to guide organ harvesting, organ donation, and organ transplantation in the country.

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