In a surprising twist, the Ministry of Energy has unloaded its full guns on the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana National Gas Company (GNGC), accusing him of misleading members of the Senior Staff Association of the company.
In a no-holds-barred press release yesterday, the Ministry of Energy stated that its current minister had no part in any contract with GENSER, and turned around to point the finger of blame at GNGC and the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC).
The release was dated 10th January 2023. It was on the letterhead of the Ministry of Energy and issued from the Communications & Public Affairs Unit.
It was titled ‘Re: Overturn NAPO’s Approval of Genser Deal- Ghana Gas Workers Urge Akufo-Addo’
The Ministry of Energy stated that it has taken note of a news item under the heading referred to above currently doing the media rounds and the stated matter is being investigated by the Parliamentary Committee on Mines and Energy.
“The Ministry is mindful of the legal consequences of discussing same in those circumstances,” the Ministry stated.
The statement further added that the President of the Republic referred the matter to the Ministry, Petroleum Commission, and the Energy Commission for investigations.
“A report in this respect has been delivered to His Excellency the President,” the statement said.
The Minister, in the interim, stated emphatically that neither he nor anyone else acting on behalf of the Ministry has signed any contract with GENSER.
The statement said that only contracts signed with GENSER on record are by GNGC and GNPC.
“This contract between GENSER and GNGC & GNPC predates the minister’s tenure at the Ministry of Energy and was signed on behalf of GNGC by Dr. Ben Asante, its CEO, and the Ministry duly informed.
“The Ministry is aware of the briefing of the Senior Staff Association of the GNGC by its CEO, who is misleading them for reasons best known to himself.
“At the appropriate time, the Ministry will fully come out with all documentation necessary in respect of this matter,” the statement concludes.
