the Omanhene of the Dormaa Traditional Area, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II, has openly expressed his disapproval of the ongoing $250 million Bank of Ghana (BoG) head office building project in Ridge, Accra. Speaking at the Bono Regional House of Chiefs’ first general meeting on August 17th, 2023, in Sunyani, the Dormaahene vehemently called for the halt of the construction and reallocation of funds.
Osagyefo Agyemang Badu II appealed to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to intervene and prevent the Bank of Ghana from further spending the staggering $250 million on the construction of its new headquarters. He questioned the rationale behind such an extravagant expense, particularly at a time when Ghana had recently sought financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for $3 billion. The Dormaahene also raised concerns about the Bank’s significant loss of GHC60 billion in 2022, further fueling his disapproval of the costly project.
“The House and its people are not happy about the development. How can the country go to the IMF for $3 billion and want to use $250 million to construct only one project?” Osagyefo Agyemang Badu II questioned.
Osagyefo Agyemang Badu II emphasized that the immense amount being utilized for the construction could have been better employed to create job opportunities for the youth or distributed among Ghana’s 16 regions to support developmental projects. He expressed his desire to go as far as demolishing the building to underscore his dissatisfaction with the project.
The Dormaahene also drew attention to the pressing need for developmental initiatives and employment opportunities for the youth, particularly graduates in the region. He mentioned the establishment of the Bono Development Fund as a step towards addressing these concerns, aiming to stimulate development and reduce unemployment.
Amid the Dormaahene’s criticism, he also commended President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the revival of the Sunyani Airport, which had been abandoned for several years, and the approval for upgrading the Sunyani Regional Hospital to a teaching hospital. However, Osagyefo Agyemang Badu II expressed dissatisfaction with the state of road infrastructure across the region, identifying several roads in deplorable conditions and urging the regional minister to advocate for their completion.
The Dormaahene noted that several paramount chiefs would soon join the House after resolving chieftaincy disputes in their respective areas. He highlighted the importance of their inclusion in the House’s activities, particularly in light of their role in the creation of the erstwhile Brong Ahafo Region.
In response, the Bono Regional Minister, Justina Owusu-Banahene, pledged her commitment to road rehabilitation efforts and appealed to the chiefs to cooperate with government appointees to facilitate development. She also urged the chiefs to refrain from interfering with the planning schemes of the Municipal and District Assemblies.
As the controversy surrounding the Bank of Ghana’s extravagant building project unfolds, the stance of Dormaahene Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II adds a new layer of scrutiny to the allocation of public funds in Ghana, prompting discussions on prioritizing developmental needs and prudent financial management.
source-graphic.com.gh
