Ghana Protesters call for resignation of the Central Bank Governor.
On Tuesday 3rd of October, 2023, a large number of Ghanaians gathered in Accra, called for the removal of Ernest Addison, the governor of the central bank. The protesters expressed concerns about the handling of the economy, particularly during a challenging period of debt crisis.
Once regarded as Africa's beacon of success by the World Bank, Ghana experienced remarkable economic growth in 2019, outpacing all other nations. However, it no longer holds the position of West Africa's economic model. Despite being a significant exporter of cocoa and gold, Ghana is currently facing a severe financial crisis, with inflation reaching an alarming 50.3 percent, the highest in over two decades.
Under the surveillance of security personnel, protesters made their way to the central bank to demand for the resignation of Addison and his two assistants all while dressed in red and black attires, denoting their grief. The protests highlighted the increasing worries and demands for responsibility in the face of economic difficulties in Ghana.
The opposition party in Ghana also called for the resignation of Addison, accusing him of overseeing an economy with a 40 percent inflation rate and tagged their protest "OccupyBoGProtest." The protesters were led by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) minority leader, Cassiel Ato Forson.
Francis-Xavier Kojo Sosu, a Member of Parliament (MP) representing the Madina Constituency, Greater Accra Region stated that, "the NDC is a government in waiting, the NDC must be interested in every protest that seeks to protect the interests of the ordinary Ghanaian. So the NDC must not only take advantage, they must come and lead the protest. And that is why we, the minority MPs, we are the people here leading the protest,".
The upcoming elections in Ghana will put a spotlight on the country's economic prospects, as President Nana Akufo-Addo concludes his two terms in accordance with the constitution.
