Dr. Addison installed devices at home to spy on BoG operations –Col. Festus Aboagye

Retired Colonel Festus Aboagye has raised serious allegations against Dr. Ernest Addison, the former Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), following a recent search conducted at his residence by National Security operatives. According to Aboagye, Dr. Addison allegedly installed surveillance equipment in his home to spy on BoG operations, a claim that has sparked controversy and drawn attention from several quarters.

The controversial search operation

The search of Dr. Addison’s residence by National Security operatives has become the subject of heated discussions. Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, condemned the operation, accusing the authorities of mishandling the search. According to Afenyo-Markin, during the operation, personal belongings such as jewellery and money, which belonged to Dr. Addison’s wife, were unlawfully taken, raising concerns about the conduct of the security operatives.

However, the controversy did not end there. Retired Colonel Festus Aboagye, in an interview with TV3, shed light on the alleged reasons behind the search. He claims that intelligence gathered by the state indicated Dr. Addison’s involvement in installing electronic surveillance devices in his home that were reportedly connected to the Bank of Ghana. This allowed the former BoG Governor to monitor the activities of the Bank remotely.

The alleged surveillance devices: A breach of trust

Col. Aboagye made further claims, asserting that Dr. Addison had wired his residence with “back door” electronic devices, which were connected to the Bank of Ghana. These devices, he said, allowed Addison to keep a close eye on the bank’s operations, effectively enabling him to monitor sensitive information without the state’s authorization.

“What is coming out, unless contested, is that there was intelligence… I’m speaking on what it is that I have checked, from a source within National Security. Certain individuals within the National Security suggested that he had wired his place with what we call back door electronic devices,” Aboagye explained.

In his view, the term “monitoring” used to describe the alleged surveillance was far too diplomatic. “This is spying, this is surveillance,” he emphasized, suggesting that Addison’s actions went beyond simple monitoring of operations at the Bank of Ghana. Aboagye went further to claim that the purpose of the recent search was to remove these surveillance devices from Dr. Addison’s home, particularly focusing on what he described as the removal of a “monitoring wire” attached to Addison’s CCTV cameras.

State authorization and legal implications

One of the core aspects of Aboagye’s allegations is that the surveillance conducted by Dr. Addison was unauthorized. According to Aboagye, there was no official permission or state authorization for any former Governor of the Bank of Ghana to install surveillance devices or engage in such activities. The act of spying on BoG operations, he argues, is a serious breach of trust and could have serious implications if proven true.

“The state has not authorized anybody, in the form of a former BoG Governor, to mount surveillance on the premises of BoG,” Aboagye said, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

Lack of official response from Dr. Addison

As of now, Dr. Ernest Addison or his legal representatives have not officially addressed the allegations made by Retired Colonel Festus Aboagye. The silence has only added fuel to the speculation surrounding the nature of the search operation and the accusations of surveillance.

The claims have yet to be contested publicly, and the public is left with mounting questions about the extent of Dr. Addison’s involvement in such activities. The matter has ignited a broader conversation on the issue of security, surveillance, and the possible abuse of power by individuals in influential positions.

A growing controversy

The controversy surrounding the search of Dr. Addison’s residence and the accusations of spying on Bank of Ghana operations continue to unfold. With serious allegations of unauthorized surveillance, the issue has caught the attention of lawmakers, the media, and the public. The full details of the investigation, as well as an official response from Dr. Addison, will likely determine whether these claims hold any merit and the legal consequences that may follow.