The Chairman of the Board of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and former leader of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Freddie Blay, has dismissed the allegations and calls by some 29 Civil Society Organisations for his resignation.
The CSOs are unhappy with GNPC’s plan to sell half of its stake in Jubilee Holdings Limited (JOHL) to PetroSA, a South African oil company.
Mr. Blay said he did not do anything wrong in the deal that would justify his resignation.
Speaking on Eyewitness News on Citi FM, he maintained that he acted with a clear conscience in selling the shares and would only resign if the president, who appointed him, asked him to do so.
“I could be sacked, but I don’t understand why they want me to resign over this issue. I did nothing wrong. I followed my conscience and I believed I was safeguarding the country’s interest, and I am sure of it and if others disagree and if those who appointed me say otherwise, then so be it.”
He also disclosed that he had talked to President Akufo-Addo about the issue.
“I have discussed it with the president, and he has not requested his job back. It is not about persuading the president, the law will speak for itself and the law will say and there are some documents on the agreement.”
He also clarified that he had no serious disagreements with the Energy Minister, Mathew Opoku Prempeh as some media outlets reported.
“I don’t think we [he and Mr. Prempeh] have any conflicts that are so bad that they harm Ghana’s interest. You know, NAPO has strong views, and I am also a bit stubborn when I talk about anything that I know. We met today and we exchanged ideas cordially.”
The 29 CSOs held a press conference on Tuesday, May 23, and demanded the removal of GNPC’s Chief Executive Officer, Opoku Ahweneeh Danquah, and Board Chairman, Freddie Blay.
The CSOs claimed that Mr. Blay, as GNPC Board Chairman, had written to PetroSA, offering it an equal share in GNPC’s subsidiary’s interest, Jubilee Oil Holdings Ltd.
