Richard Ahiagbah, the Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has provided intricate details surrounding the involvement of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Bank of Ghana's (BOG) initiative to construct a new headquarters.
Ahiagbah's account contradicts recent statements by NDC minority leader Casel Ato Forson, shedding light on a history dating back to the 1990s.
Contrary to Forson's disassociation of the NDC from the BOG's construction project, Ahiagbah presented a timeline spanning from 1990 to 2020, during which both the NPP and NDC have governed Ghana, including the management of the Central Bank.
Ahiagbah's narrative highlights how the BOG initiated a search for a new headquarters location due to the central business district's encroachment upon the existing Thorpe Road office and the need for expansion.
Efforts to acquire adjacent properties yielded limited success, but Ahiagbah revealed that the BOG managed to secure the Queensway Bookshop and land near Melcom, both free from ownership conflicts.
He detailed subsequent attempts to acquire land, including a 5.341-acre proposal near Ridge Hospital, a 6-acre parcel near Airport City, and a 7-acre offering from Messrs KAA Law.
However, these offers were declined for various reasons. In 2015, an offer for a 20-acre plot near Achimota Forest was presented, but due diligence was recommended against the acquisition.
Ahiagbah disclosed that despite pursuing negotiations, the BOG attempted to settle with Messrs IbisTek Ltd for failing to acquire the land.
Ahiagbah emphasized that ultimately, the BOG followed due process and secured the land in West Ridge for its new headquarters through an Executive Instrument initiated by the government.
Meanwhile, Casel Ato Forson, the NDC minority leader in Parliament, issued a press release disavowing involvement in the construction process and criticizing the decision to build the new headquarters amidst the Bank's financial challenges.
Ahiagbah countered Forson's stance by referencing the NDC's time in power, particularly in 2015, when Ghana faced economic difficulties and sought IMF support due to government overspending.
Ahiagbah highlighted the IMF's assessment of Ghana's economic challenges, stating that the country was grappling with widening deficits, inflation, a depreciating currency, and a bloated civil service payroll.
He accused the NDC and Forson of displaying double standards by feigning ignorance and attempting to mislead the nation.