The Executive Director of Alliance for Social Equity & Accountability, Mr. Mensah Thompson has said the Board Chairman of Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Mr. Freddy Blay compromised the independence of the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) in approving GHc550,000.00 donation to the EOCO at the time that he was being investigated by the same body.
“The Board Chairman of GNPC, Mr. Freddy Blay who was being investigated by EOCO for the procurement of 275 buses, compromised the Independence of EOCO in that investigations by approving a GHC550,000 intervention to EOCO [whiles he was still under investigations.]” – he said this in a statement copy Awake News
Mr. Thompson’s comment is coming in the wake of public outcry over a leaked Board memo alleging that the GNPC has approved various sums as sponsorships and donation to some companies including EOCO.
According to him, “Earlier this year during a Press Encounter, President Akufo Addo touted his strong efforts in the fight against corruption by telling Ghanaians how he has increased the budgetary allocations to the offices of accountability by over 30% last year and over 35% this year.”
“Now there are a few fundamental questions that come to mind.
- Did EOCO really need the GHC550,000 to be operational?
- If they did then what happened to the over 65% cumulative increment in their budgetary allocations?
- If they didn’t then why did GNPC dole out GHC 550,000 to a State Agency that didn’t need it or [already had their budget increased] whiles several other State Agencies were in serious need of urgent financial intervention?
The answer to these questions would tell us whether President Akufo Addo was being untruthful when he told us that he has increased budgetary allocations to the offices of accountability by over 65% since 2017″ – He added
Background
The GNPC Board is chaired by the New Patriotic Party National Chairman, Freddie Blay, but the Memo dated 29th October 2019 was addressed to the GNPC Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Kofi Koduah Sarpong by the Board Secretary; Matilda Ohene.
The memo mentioned that “At the meeting of the Board of GNPC, held on 25th October 2019 the Board approved the recommendation of the Brand, Communication and CRS Committee for the following requests”.
The momo with the subject “Board Approval for payment of various sponsorship/support requests”, shows the Rebecca Foundation allocated GH₵120, 000.00; and GH₵400, 000.00 towards the preparation for the 2019 Damba Festival for the people of Dagbon State of the Northern Region.
The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) is getting GH₵50, 000.00 of the GNPC cash while the Ghana Boxing Association (GBA) is getting a US$30,000.00.
The anti-corruption agency; Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) is getting a whopping GH₵550,000.00.
It is, however, not clear why an EOCO which is under the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General and allotted budgetary support annually will be getting donations and sponsorship from the GNPC another state institution.
The highest amount, GHc500,000.00 of the donation spanning for 3years is towards the 20th Anniversary of Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori-Panin, for marking his ascension to the Ofori-Panin Stool at Kyebi, the home town of the President Akufo-Addo.
On October 4, 1999, the Okyenhene was enstooled as the 35th Chief of Akyem Abuakwa, and state resources are to be used in celebrating that accomplishment.
Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori-Panin, who is a cousin to President Nana Akufo-Addo, is getting a total of GH₵1,800,000 for the celebrations for over three years period specifically for “environment and greening”.
The Okyenhene, also gets additional GH₵300,000.00 to organize the 20th Anniversary, which was launched on October 8th at a ceremony at the forecourt of the Palace at Kyebi in the Eastern Region, with the Guest of Honour, being Kofi Dzamesi, Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
Calls on EOCO to investigate Mr. Blay the Board Chairman of GNPC
There were several calls on EOCO to investigate the source of funds for the procurement of 275 buses by Mr Blay during his campaign for the national chairmanship.
Read the full statement from ASEPA:
GNPC’s DONATION TO EOCO- INSTITUTIONAL BRIBERY OR WEAK FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION?
Earlier this year during a Press Encounter, President Akufo Addo touted his strong efforts in the fight against corruption by telling Ghanaians how he has increased the budgetary allocations to the offices accountability by over 30% last year and over 35% this year.
This meant that institutions like the Auditor General’s Department, CHRAJ and EOCO had their budgetary allocations increased tremendously to support their work.
Now today it has come to public notice that GNPC had to dole out GHC550,000 to EOCO under a Corporate Social Responsibility[CSR] program to support the very important job that EOCO does.
Now there are a few fundamental questions that comes to mind.
- Did EOCO really need the GHC550,000 to be operational?
- If they did then what happened to the over 65% cumulative increment in their budgetary allocations?
- If they didn’t then why did GNPC dole out GHC 550,000 to a State Agency that didn’t need it or [already had their budget increased] whiles several other State Agencies were in serious need of urgent financial intervention?
The answer to these questions would tell us whether President Akufo Addo was being untruthful when he told us that he has increased budgetary allocations to the offices of accountability by over 65% since 2017 or…
The Board Chairman of GNPC, Mr. Freddy Blay who was being investigated by EOCO for the procurement of 275 buses, compromised the Independence of EOCO in that investigations by approving a GHC550,000 intervention to EOCO [whiles he was still under investigations.]
Over to you Government Communicators, the job na too had for una abi?…Hehehe
Mensah Thompson
Executive Director,
ASEPA
0542120628
By: Efo Korsi Senyo / awakenewsroom.com
