Nepotism and cronyism collapsing GNPC - John Jinapor

Former Deputy Minster, Energy and Petroleum, John Abdulai Jinapor, has described the current happenings at the GNPC as a clear manifestation of corruption that has characterized the Akufo-Addo government.

In a statement, he said; "The GNPC as established under PNDCL 64 has amongst its functions, to promote petroleum exploration activities, to appraise existing petroleum discoveries, and to ensure that Ghana benefits the most from the development of the country's petroleum resources".

"However, the national aggregator of Oil and Gas resources has lost focus from these core mandates and has been engulfed in corruption, cronyism, nepotism and a complete breakdown of good Corporate Governance practices. This state of affairs threatens the sustainability of GNPC," he added.

He has therefore asked for an independent inquiry into the current happenings at the Nation's petroleum industry to avoid further damage.

Below Is a Copy of His Statement

Corruption At GNPC: Nepotism and Cronyism Collapsing Organisation

Recent happenings at the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) is clear manifestation of widespread corruption that has engulfed the Akufo-Addo led administration. The GNPC as established under PNDCL 64 has amongst its functions, to promote petroleum exploration activities, to appraise existing petroleum discoveries, and to ensure that Ghana benefits the most from the development of the country's petroleum resources.

However, the national aggregator of Oil and Gas resources has lost focus from these core mandates and has been engulfed in corruption, cronyism, nepotism and a complete breakdown of good Corporate Governance practices. This state of affairs threatens the sustainability of GNPC.

To avoid further damage to GNPC, it is important the underlisted issues are properly investigated:

1. The recruitment of 200 personnel without the knowledge of the Board.

2. Board Chairman (who doubles as the NPP Chairman) actively participating in procurement processes in clear violation of the Public Procurement Act.

3. Board Chairman giving directives to personnel of the corporation without recourse to the CEO.

4. Root cause of the low morale among staff of the GNPC as alluded to by the CEO and Board Chair.

5. The extent to which the finances of GNPC has been dissipated by the current Board, headed by the NPP National Chairman and Management as well.

Furthermore, happenings at GNPC suggest Ghana’s petrochemical industry is certainly not safe under the current administration.

However, if previous allegations and investigations are anything to go by, then any discerning Ghanaian can come to a firm conclusion that the Akufo-Addo led administration cannot be trusted to conduct any transparent, unbiased and meaningful investigation into these scandalous and corruption-laden spectacle that has engulfed the GNPC.

Therefore, it’s obvious the only acceptable antidote to this canker of yet another national disgrace, this time at the GNPC, is for a bi-partisan Parliamentary enquiry to determine the underlying cause(s) of all these scandalous allegations and make appropriate recommendations in order to save the GNPC from collapse.

John Abdulai Jinapor

Former Deputy Minster, Energy and Petroleum.