GNPC grilled over GH₵4.5m paid to state agencies & private entities

Drama unfolded at the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) sitting yesterday when the leadership of the committee argued over GH₵4.5 million paid by the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) to some state agencies and private entities as corporate social responsibility (CSR).

A public interest question put to the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GNPC in charge of Commercials, Mr Joseph Dadzie, on why the corporation gave GH500,000 to the Economic and Organised Crime Organisation (EOCO) and other specified amounts to the Rebecca Foundation and the Okyenhene Amoatia Ofori-Panin, incurred the displeasure of the Deputy Ranking Member of the Committee and Member of Parliament for Nantong, Mr Mohammed Hardi Tuferu, who accused the Chairman of the committee, Mr James Klutse Avedzi of acting unfairly by unilaterally allowing the question.

"This must not happen here. The business before the committee is the 2017 Auditor-General's report on GNPC and not some expenditure made by the corporation in 2019," Mr Tuferu fumed, as he defended the GNPC officials.

The public interest question was asked by the MP for Ningo-Prampram, Mr Sam George and approved by the PAC committee chair.

The reaction by Mr Tuferu generated heated exchanges between the two leaders as each of them spoke simultaneously to make their case.

"I am the Chairman of the committee; I approved the question because it is the practice here that we admit public interest questions. I don't know why the Deputy Ranking member is up to; but this is not good for us," Mr Avedzi stressed.

After some back and forth, Mr Avedzi discharged the officials of the GNPC and adjourned sitting for the day.

The officials of the GNPC had appeared before the committee to respond to infractions cited against the corporation in the 2017 Auditor-General's report presented to Parliament.