NPP blames President Mahama over BoG gold watch purchase

The Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South constituency, Samuel Atta Akyea, has blamed president John Mahama for the central bank’s decision to spend GHC2 million on gold watches for some retired senior staff.

According to him, president John Mahama has given rise to impunity, making public servant feel they can do whatever they desire and get away with it.

Speaking on Multi TV’s Newsfile Saturday, the Abuakwa South legislature said dissipation of public funds has become viral under the watch of president Mahama.

He further questioned the president’s commitment to punish wrongdoers, citing multiple scandals under the watch of the president to make his case.

“There is a culture of impunity,” he stressed.

The Bank of Bank (BoG) is purchasing gold watches for some of its staff who are on retirement after 30 years of service.
The purchase of the gold watch has been severely criticised as a wrongful application of state resources.

But the central bank has defended the purchase of the watches.

In a statement, the BoG explained that as per the tradition of the Central Bank, they award to staff of the Bank who has served in the institution for thirty years or more.

“End of service benefits, as part of the conditions of service for staff, is a longstanding tradition of the Bank, an obligation the Bank has always fulfilled to boost staff morale and commitment to the goals and ideals of the institution. The award scheme has been the convention of the Bank since the 1970s.”

However, Atta Akyea believes there is no moral justification for the “luxurious” watch, saying it is “unconscionable.”

He stressed that “leadership is symbolism” in the fight against rein in public spending, concluding the president has not shown leadership since assuming office in 2012.