An attempt by lawyers for the Bank of Ghana (BOG) to have a case challenging its handling of the Ghanaian currency since 2017 has failed.
The High Court presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay ruled that an action alleging negligence can be heard and determined by the Court.
Private citizen Balbir Violet Allan is in court against the Bank of Ghana and its former Governor Dr. Ernest Addison. She wants a declaration that the Bank of Ghana has been grossly negligent in the management of the Ghana Cedi through Dr. Ernest Addison since 2017.
She is also asking the court to rule that the exchange rate losses recorded from 4.26 cedis in 2017 to 15.49 cedis in 2025 are enforceable against the Bank of Ghana and Dr. Ernest Addison.
Read also: Dr. Ernest Addison: Former BoG Governor sued over exchange rate losses
Lawyers for the Central Bank, however, urged the Court to strike out the case. They told the court the case filed by the private citizen does not disclose a reasonable cause of action.Dr
They explained it does not recount any facts that can form a basis for a legal action. This application was however resisted by the private citizen’s legal team led by Dr. John Baiden who insisted the case raised serious issues that ought to be dealt with by the Court.
The Court ruled that it has the mandate to deal with such matters; “It cannot be stated that this court cannot determine a cause or matter founded on gross negligence. It appears to be fair not to slam the door of justice in the face of a person who seeks justice from the Court”, Justice Kocuvie-Tay stated.
The court awarded a GHC 3,000 cost against the Bank of Ghana for making such an application.
By Joseph Ackah-Blay
