Dear Mr. President,
I have read with displeasure the proposed salary and allowance increase for the CEO of GNPC. There are publications in the media about the staff threatening to embark on a strike if this proposal is approved by the board of directors.
I cannot verify the authenticity of this proposed salary increase and allowance, but as the saying goes, “there is no smoke without fire.”
Mr. Opoku Danquah is the acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GNPC. His appointment has still not been approved by the board, which is very worrying considering how long he has been in the position. The board is also aware that the CEO spends more time abroad than in Ghana since his appointment.
He is repeatedly absent from Parliamentary committee meetings to defend and approve his budget and policies, Ministry of Energy retreats, and meetings of sector CEOs, to mention a few.
One would expect the Board Chairman, Mr. Blay, to reprimand the CEO for the continuous absence from the office, but instead, he is rewarding the CEO with a pay rise. Why?
Our national oil company is in disarray, indebted, and has no leadership to turn its fortunes around.
Mr. President, please act to save our National Oil Company. Fourteen (14) years after first oil, GNPC is supposed to be like the Petronas and Sonangol of this world, supporting Ghana’s drive to prosperity. Today, it is an albatross around the neck of the government.
Thanks,
Kwadwo N Poku
(INSTEPR)
