Merchant Bank-Fortiz Deal Should Be Suspended - Kweku Baako

Editor-In-Chief of the New Crusading Guide newspaper, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako, has advised Bank of Ghana (BoG) and the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to suspend the controversial takeover of Merchant Bank by Fortiz Equity Fund. Fortiz, a private equity fund, among other companies won the bid to buy majority of the shares in Merchant Bank. They want to purchase 90 percent shares of the bank at a cost of 90 million Ghana; however, many are of the view that due diligence was not done. Following the controversies surrounding the deal, Deputy Minority Leader, Dominic Nitiwul, has called on President John Mahama to stop the sale of Merchant Bank. According to him, nothing other than conflict of interest can make Fortiz win the bid with 90 million cedis for 90 percent of Merchant Bank's shares when First Rand, a South African bank had presented a better bid of 190 million cedis for 75 percent shares. Abdul Malik Kweku Baako is also of the view that since the controversies are �overwhelming� and there seems to be more questions than answers, the deal should be suspended. According to him, even though there might be nothing wrong with Fortiz buying majority of the shares, it raises a lot of questions and makes the transaction murky. In order to cure the mischief surrounding the transaction, the senior journalist is of the view that more information should be provided. He told Kwami Sefa-Kayi on Wednesday�s edition of �Kokrokoo� on PeaceFM that �I hope Bank of Ghana, SSNIT will put a hold on the transaction. The controversies are overwhelming. There is not much transparency in the issue and that is one of the reasons I think it should be suspended�.