Residents of Bibiani on Saturday, August 11, 2018, expressed their anger at the removal of former Managing Director of Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation (BOST), Mr. Alfred Obeng about two months ago.
During his first homecoming after his removal from office in June, Mr. Obeng was received by the teeming crowd with placards inscribed “God has punished the conspirators”, “We love you”, “We will defend you”, “We drink alcohol before Xmas”, Our incoming MP”, “Touch not the anointed” among many others.
At the palace, Nana Nifahene of Sefwi Anhwiaso Traditional Council in his speech encouraged him not to be worried about what happened at BOST because they know his potentials and are well aware of the sabotage and frustrations he went through at BOST.
However, Mr. Alfred Obeng speaking to the large crowd expressed gratitude to the people for their unflinching support, especially during his removal. He emphasized that it was not any wrongdoing on his part be it performance or corruption related but the truth of the matter is that some people undermined him from the very month of his appointment.
A circulating report in the media purported the former MD had accused the former Energy minister, Boakye Agyarko and the Board Chairman of masterminding his removal but in an interview with Brytfmonline.com on Sunday, 12th August, 2018, Mr. Obeng stressed the said comments were not from him personally but might have come from his aggrieved supporters.
Even though he accepted the fact that his dismissal could be a plot by some personalities in government, he was not able to apportion blame on any specific person.
On the appointment of government appointees, Mr. Alfred Obeng said his comments were not against the President’s mode of appointments but was just expressing the low inclusion of people from the Western region in government which could be attributed to the fact that most of the people in the region do not involve themselves in active politics among others despite the massive votes the region has been giving to the party over the years.
Mr. Alfred Obeng who was given rousing welcome is of the view the region deserves better as compared to others considering the impact it had on the 2016 general elections hence his comparison to that of Volta region. He added that the people from the region should be more active in politics so that more appointees will come from the region since in Ghana development in everything including even employment is government centred
“I made the reference to that of Volta region not because I’m portraying tribalism but just trying to tell my people that because most people from Volta region for example do active politics though the party didn’t get more votes from there, they got comparably more appointees” he insisted.
Mr. Alfred Obeng added he will not allow what has happened to have any negative
impact on his vision to help develop the community and therefore called on all party members and supporters in the community to support him in his endeavour to contribute his quota to the development of the community.
During a phone interview on Sunday 12th August 2018, the former MD emphatically stated he never pint point former Energy minister, Boakye Agyarko of masterminding his sack whiles he did not and would never question the criteria of the President’s appointments.
He pledged he will also not do anything to undermine the Akufo-Addo led New Patriotic Party (NPP) government in any way. He reiterated that even at the challenging moment he wrote a letter to express his gratitude and appreciation to the President
Meanwhile, he has assured his continuous support to the creation of the proposed Western North region to ensure the development of the area.