Government cautioned over new GPHA boss

Government has been advised not to appoint persons outside the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) for the two top positions at the organization in order not to create conflict as witnessed in recent past.

Already a legal and financial brain, Edward Kofi Osei, Director of Port in Tema, has been appointed to act as Director General, following the removal of Paul Asare Ansah from office.

But a GPHA union executive member, who pleaded anonymity, said that in the past, two persons, Commander Kweku Davlo, and Raphael Unity Kumegzro were appointed by then-President Jerry John Rawlings from outside the port as Director General and Director of Port respectively.

“The conflict that these appointments generated was so unhealthy that it took a toll on the organization,” Administratively, the Director of Port is to report to the Director General, but that never happened as the subordinate bypassed his boss and gave information directly to the Castle, their source of power,” he added.

He said the workers had already shown their affection for Edward Kofi Osei and prayed for a conducive atmosphere.

Acting Director General

President Akufo-Addo, in pursuant with relevant laws, yesterday appointed Edward Kofi Osei, as acting Director General of GPHA.

Mr. Osei’s appointment, which was announced in a letter dated June 6, 2018 and signed by secretary to the President, Nana Bediatuo Asante, followed the dismissal of Paul Ansah by the President.

“Following the termination of the appointment of Mr. Paul Ansah, the Director General of the Ghana Ports and Harbour Authority, you are directed by the President to act as Director-General of the Authority, pending the appointment of a new substantive Director General,” the letter addressed to Mr. Osei read.

Mr. Asare Ansah has subsequently handed over management of the Authority to his successor, who until his appointment by the President, was Director of Tema Port.

Mr. Ansah is among four top Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of state institutions President Akufo-Addo fired on Wednesday.

One of the sacked CEOs, Gifty Klenam of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), was removed from office together with her two deputies, Eric Amoako Twum and Akilu Sayibu, after reports of wanton corruption at the Authority.

It would be recalled that in a termination of appointment letter dated June 5th, 2018 titled ‘Termination of Office and Handing Over’ signed by the secretary to the President, Nana Bediatuo Asante, President Akufo-Addo asked Mr. Ansah to hand over to Mr. Osei.

“Please ensure that you hand over and cease to act as Director General of the Authority no later than close of business on Friday 8th June, 2018,” the letter said.

No reasons were given for the dismissal, but it’s believed that Mr. Ansah’s dismissal is linked to the recent internal wranglings at GPHA, which led the workers’ union of the Authority to accuse Peter Mac Manu, the Board Chairman of GPHA, of corruption and conflict of interest.

DAILY GUIDE understands that Mr. Ansah around 3pm on Wednesday, June 6, 2018, exactly a day after he received the termination letter, met top management team of the Authority, including CEOs of other affiliate business units of GPHA like the International Maritime Hospital and Tema Shipyard.