GNPC ex-gratia payment to Tsatsu, others illegal – Faibille

A Legal Practitioner and former employee of the Ghana National Petroleum Commission (GNPC) Egbert Faibille has called on President John Mahama to stop the payment of ex-gratia to some former employees of the company, including former chief executive Tsatsu Tsikata.

He is also asking the President to probe the payment if it has been done already.

The regulatory body confirmed in a statement Monday that it indeed paid Tsikata and three others ex-gratia, but failed to mention figures.

“The Board of Directors of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), has approved the payment of ex-gratia to four former employees of the Corporation, comprising of two former Chief Executives and two Managers.

“The four and the positions at which they exited GNPC are: Mr. Tsatsu Tsikata (Chief Executive); Nana Boakye Asafu-Adjaye (Ag. Chief Executive); Mr. Benjamin Dagadu (Field Evaluation and Development Manager); and Ms. Esther Cobbah (Public Affairs Manager).

“The four served the Corporation for periods ranging between 12 and 21 years. They were all removed from office in 2001, under circumstances that did not allow for the payment of their respective accumulated separation entitlements,” the GNPC statement read.

Commenting on the development, the lawyer-cum-journalist told Nii Arday Clegg on the Morning Starr Tuesday that the payment is unjustifiable. He said the individuals were public servants and do not deserve the payment.

“I expect the President to call on the GNPC Board to give him a justification for these payments. Where is the basis of the authority that the GNPC used to pay? And I don't think the board is above the law. The payments to all four people is illegal. I think the Minister of Energy and the President should look into this,” he stated.