Four names have emerged as strong as possible options by new President John Mahama to man the top-most positions in the Bank of Ghana, including the Governor, Deputies, and various Board roles,
Among the names are James Agbo popularly known by his traditional title of Togbe Afede, Farihan Alhassan of Stanbic Bank, Dr. Johnson Asiama and Alhassan Andani, a former Stanbic Boss.
Negotiations are currently ongoing to have the current leaders led by Dr. Ernest Addison to amicably leave the scene, just like their predecessors did in 2017, subject to some terms and conditions including “settlements”.
At least two other women including Mona Quartey have been named as part of the Mahama BOG team but more details are not available on the women.
Madam Quartey, a former Deputy Minister of Finance is said to consider the Bank of Ghana job a demotion but discussions are still ongoing.
Togbe Afede
Togbe Afede the executive chairman of World Trade Centre Accra and founder of the SAS Finance Group Ltd, constituting Strategic African Securities Ltd, a stock brokerage and corporate finance advisory firm, and SAS Investment Management Ltd, an asset management firm.
He also founded Strategic Initiatives Ltd (SIL) a portfolio and private equity investment firm, and co-founded Sunon Asogli Power Ghana Ltd, Databank Financial Services and Africa World Airlines Ltd.
Although he is 67 years of age, Mahama is said to be counting on his 10 years’ experience as a Board Member of the Bank of Ghana from 2003 to 2013.
Sources told MyNewsGh.com that Togbe Afede has also been a silent “supporter” and advisor of the party during the past 8years with alleged sponsorship despite publicly criticizing the party in the run up to the 2016 election.
Critics against his appointment say he can be unpredictable and difficult to control.
Dr. Johnson Asiama
Also reportedly under consideration is Dr. Johnson Asiama, a former second Deputy Governor of the Bank under the first John Mahama Administration who resigned in 2017. He is an Economist and Monetary Policy Specialist.
Dr. Asiama joined the Bank of Ghana in 1996, where he rose through the ranks. He has served in various departments such as the Banking Supervision Department, the Financial Markets Department, the Research Department and the Governors Department.
He served as Director of the Macroeconomic Management Department at the West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM) in Lagos, Nigeria between 2010 and 2013 where he designed and managed the capacity building programs for staff of central banks, Ministries of Finance, and other public sector institutions across the West African sub region.
Dr. Asiama holds a PhD (Economics) from the University of Southampton, UK and an MPHIL (Economics) from the University of Ghana, Legon.
During the 2024 campaigns he outlined a series of comprehensive strategies for “resetting” Ghana’s economy, stressing the need for substantial reforms to correct structural weaknesses and foster sustainable growth.
He suggested that enhancing the effectiveness of the legal system, regulatory bodies, and financial institutions, along with tackling corruption and improving governance, is crucial to fostering a robust economic environment.
In the financial sector, Dr Asiama advocates for comprehensive financial sector reforms to restore stability and ensure efficient capital allocation.
Farihan Alhassan
The next personality said to be under consideration and may be lobbying for the job is Farihan Alhassan, Head of Business and Commercial Banking of Stanbic Bank who is said to be close to the Mahamas, especially Ibrahim.
Farihan is a an indigene of Tamale and is a seasoned financial specialist with more than 17 years of experience in the banking sector, and currently the executive responsible for one of the three business units of Stanbic Bank Ghana; Business & Commercial Clients unit.
Farihan is an old student of Presby Experimental Primary and JHS, Tamale; Tamale Secondary School and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology where he obtained his first degree. He holds MBA in Finance from GIMPA and MA in Economic Policy Management from University of Ghana, Legon.
Alhassan Andani
Alhassan Andani is an Economist and grandson of Naa Andani who ruled Dagbon in the colonial era. He is the founder and chairman of Leadership Vision Strategy Africa. Mr.Andani is a former chief executive director of Stanbic bank and is reportedly the mentor of Farihan Alhassan.
He is former the board chairperson of the Ghana Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), a director of SOS Villages Ghana, and has held other corporate directorships in the past. He holds a BSc in (Agriculture), University of Ghana; MA (Banking and Finance), Finafrica Institute in Italy.
