The inclusion of Members of Parliament on boards of various state institutions is a disturbing phenomenon that counters the fight against corruption, a Private Legal Practitioner, Austin Kwabena Brako-Powers, has said.
Brako-Powers argues that the inclusion of lawmakers will make it difficult for the legislature to thoroughly hold the state institutions accountable when it comes to the fight against corruption.
MPs should have no seat on boards of State institutions to strengthen the processes of checks and balances in the country, he stressed.
He said this after calling on President John Mahama to withdraw the membership of Bolga Central Member of Parliament (MP) Isaac Adongo from the Board of Bank of Ghana (BoG).
The lawyer explained that Mr Adongo’s BoG Board membership would hamper Parliament’s oversight responsibilities over the central bank.
“If President John Dramani Mahama is truly committed to combating official corruption, he should end the practice of including Members of Parliament (MPs) on boards of state institutions. This should be the way to go if we want to do something about corruption in this country,” he said.
President Mahama announced a newly constituted 12-member Board of the Bank of Ghana on February 26, 2025.
The board members include Dr Johnson Pandit Kwesi Asiama, Governor (Chairman); Dr Zakari Mumuni, 1st Deputy Governor; Thomas Nyarko Ampem, a Representative from the Ministry of Finance; Augustine Fritz Gockel, Economist; Nana Akua Ayivora, Accountant/Audit/Risk/Compliance; and Emma Akua Bulley, Lawyer.
Other members are Evelyn Naa Checher Kwatia, Finance Markets/Treasury; Dr. Stephen Senyo Sapati, Finance/Audit; Beatrice Feehi Annangfio, Lawyer; Kizzita Mensah, Lawyer; Joseph W. Asamoah, Fintech; and Isaac Adongo, Economist.
Reacting to the Board’s composition, private legal practitioner and anti-graft campaigner Austin Kwabena Brako-Powers said Mr Adongo’s membership on the Board should be withdrawn.
“Isaac Adongo’s membership in the Bank of Ghana (BoG)’s Board should be rescinded immediately,” he said.
“How would Parliament exercise its oversight responsibilities effectively knowing one of its members is on the BoG Board?” Mr Brako-Powers quizzed.
Source: 3news
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