Board Chairman of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Freddie Blay, has dismissed calls for his resignation over the GNPC’s intention to sell a 50% stake in Jubilee Holdings Limited (JOHL) to PetroSA.
Mr. Blay has defended himself against accusations of wrongdoing in the sale of the shares, stating that he has a clear conscience regarding the deal and will only resign if the president, who appointed him, no longer wants to work with him.
“Possibly, I could be fired, but I don’t see any reason why they are saying I should resign about this issue. I have done nothing wrong. I have observed my conscience and I thought I was protecting the interest of the country, and I am convinced about it and if others think otherwise and if those who appointed me are saying otherwise, then so be It.” he said in an interview on Citi FM on Tuesday, May 23.
The former chairman of NPP revealed that he has had conversations with President Akufo-Addo regarding the issue, but they have not come to a point where the President has asked for his job back.
However, Mr. Blay clarified that he has no bad blood with the Energy Minister, Mathew Opoku Prempeh, as reported by some media outlets.
“I don’t think we [he and Mr. Prempeh] have any differences that are so serious that they are detrimental to the interest of Ghana. You know, NAPO has strong opinions, and I am also a little determined when I am talking about anything that I know of. We met today and we exchanged ideas brightly.”
the coalition of 29 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Ghana on Tuesday, May 23 called for the immediate removal of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Opoku Ahweneeh Danquah.
The controversy surrounding the sale of the shares has raised concerns about the transparency and accountability of the GNPC.
The CSOs argue that the GNPC’s decision to sell the stake to PetroSA, a South African oil company, was not in the best interest of Ghana and that the deal lacked transparency and accountability.
The GNPC has defended the sale of the shares, stating that it was done in accordance with the law and that the deal would benefit Ghana’s oil industry.
However, the CSOs are calling for an independent investigation into the matter to ensure that the GNPC acted in the best interest of Ghana and to hold those responsible for any wrongdoing accountable.
The controversy highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in Ghana’s oil industry, which has been plagued by corruption and mismanagement in the past.
Read also: 29 CSOs demand removal of GNPC CEO and Freddie Blay over JOHL Sale
Source: Aba Aikins Appah/ATLFMNEWS
