Freddie Blay, the Board Chairman of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), has responded to a call made by a group of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) demanding his immediate dismissal by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Blay, who previously served as the chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), expressed his stance during an interview with Citi FM, stating that he would prefer to be terminated by the appointing authority rather than resign voluntarily.
He also confirmed engaging in discussions with President Akufo-Addo regarding a letter dated May 16, written by the Minister of Energy, Matthew Opoku Prempeh.
The letter pertained to a proposed sale of 50% shares of the government’s stake in an oil field to the South African company, Petro SA.
“Possibly, I could be fired, but I don’t see any reason why they are saying I should resign about this issue. I have done nothing wrong. I have observed my conscience and I thought I was protecting the interest of the country, and I am convinced about it and if others think otherwise and if those who appointed me are saying otherwise, then so be it.”
“I have spoken to the president about it, and we haven’t gotten to where he will ask for his job back. It is not about convincing the president, the law will speak for itself and the law will talk and there are few documents on the agreement.”
Background
On May 23, 2023, a coalition of 29 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) focused on Extractive Governance issued a demand for the immediate removal of both Freddie Blay, the Board Chairman, and Opoku Ahweneeh Danquah, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC).
The CSOs’ call was prompted by recent reports and documents revealing GNPC’s intention to sell a 50% stake in Jubilee Holdings Limited (JOHL) through a deal with PetroSA, a South African oil company.
This decision is concerning as it disregards the substantial revenue potential that this stake holds for the state.
Abdul Karim Mohammed, the Coordinator for the Economic Governance Platform, stated during a press conference that the continued involvement of individuals associated with such transactions poses a significant risk to Ghana’s interests and stake in the petroleum sector.
