GNPC’s GHC1.5m support to Okyenhene’s tree planting project good – NLC boss

The Executive Secretary for the National Labour Commission (NLC), Mr Samuel Ofosu Asamoah, has said there is nothing wrong if the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNCP) invests in the tree-planting project being undertaken by the Okyenhene Amoatien Ofori Panin.

He explained that the GNPC may have its own policies and plans and target areas to invest hence, nothing wrong if they decide to support the tree planting project.

He however, asked the GNPC to extend similar support to other bodies including the NLC.

The Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) has been criticized following a decision by the board to approve GH¢1.5 million to Okyenhene, Amoatia Ofori Panin, for a tree-planting project.

Reports indicated that the money was approved for the 20th anniversary of the paramount chief of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area, fueling concerns that the GNPC was expending oil funds on other things but its core mandate.

Speaking in an interview with Winston Amoah, host of the Sunrise show on 3FM Tuesday November 5, Mr Ofosu Asamoah said: “I do not begrudge the GNPC as to how they use their money.

“They have their own plans, they have their set of policies and targets and what they want to achieve but my only beef is that just as in the Bible, the Lord told the Israelites when they were going to the promised land saying ‘the land of Canaan flows with milk and honey but when you get there remember the poor.’ That even where in the land where milk and honey is flowing they will still have the poor.

“So as they (GNPC) go around their policies and targets, they should include the Labour Commission. GNPC is doing well, planting of trees by the Okyenhene is good, it is to be protect our water bodies and generally, the environment for the oxygen we brief. Supporting that is good.

“But in all things the Labour commission must also be remembered.

“We have requested for funds. I wrote a letter to them some time ago and we had a very nice response that they had no budget for us.”

Meanwhile the GNPC has justified spending the budget on the tree planting project.

Clarifying matters, the General Manager of Sustainability Division at GNPC, Dr Kwame Baah-Nuakoh, said the GH¢1.5 million for the tree planting project will be disbursed to the Okyenhene over a three-year period.

“The tree planting for Okyenhene is a project to plant 25 million trees in three years. This request was received over four months ago and it has gone through a lot of discussions to determine the viability of such a project,” he told Accra-based Joy FM