Government has turned GNPC into its side pocket; borrows $289m – Minority

The Minority in Parliament has expressed worry over what it says is the excessive borrowing by government from the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation(GNPC).

The Minority Spokesperson on Energy, Adam Mutawakilu revealed that the government has borrowed as much as $289million since 2017.

He said the practice must stop immediately.

“We had the opportunity to meet GNPC and its quite worrying. Between 2017 up to September 2019, the government has borrowed from GNPC to the tune of $289million for the various agencies. Government has taken money from GNPC for BOST, the government is using GNPC like their side-pockets. Anytime they have challenges they just go in and pick money, this must stop. Borrowing $289million within three years,” Adam Mutawakilu asked?

The GNPC was in the news recently after it emerged that it has approved an amount of 1, 500, 000.00 million Ghana cedis for the 20th anniversary of the Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori-Panin which will be used for environment and greening and will be paid over a period of three years.

The money is part of several requests by the Brand, Communication and CSR committee approved by the board on October 25.

As part of the donations, an amount of 400, 000.00 was also donated to the 2019 Damba festival while an amount of 50, 000.00 was also donated to the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).

The Ghana Boxing Association also received a donation worth 30, 000.00 dollars. The Rebecca Foundation also received an amount of 120, 000.00 from the GNPC.

The Economic and Organised Crimes Office (EOCO) also got a donation of 550, 000.00 Ghana cedis.