The Acting Director General of the Geological Survey Authority (GSSA), Mr Issac Mwinbelle, has stated that the chosen Ridge location for the new Bank of Ghana (BoG) headquarters is safer from earthquakes and tremors compared to the current location near James Town in Accra. He explained that the current location is within an earthquake-prone zone due to fault lines passing through the area.
Speaking to the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) on their GBC Radio network, Mwinbelle highlighted that the Ridge area is further away from the coastline, which is associated with earthquake activity, making it potentially safer. He explained that the closer a structure is to the epicenter of an earthquake, the more devastating its impact, whereas being farther away might result in lower levels of damage.
The decision to relocate the BoG headquarters comes after a structural integrity assessment indicated that the current building is not fit for purpose and cannot withstand significant earthquake loads. The Bank of Ghana stated that a new headquarters building is a priority project to ensure operational efficiency and positioning the bank as a potential host for a future regional Central Bank.
The issue gained attention when Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson accused the Bank of Ghana of spending $250 million on a new headquarters while facing financial difficulties. He called for the resignation of the Governor and his deputies, claiming the bank was printing money to finance the project.
The move of the Bank of Ghana’s headquarters and the discussions around it reflect the complex interplay of financial, structural, and safety considerations, with both supporters and critics sharing their perspectives on the matter.
