The new Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) has been leaving impressions that he is a mere passenger on the top job as he is reportedly more interested in globetrotting on expensive trips that are hemorrhaging the corporation’s purse.
From 6th June 2022 to 20th June 2022 he was abroad again as he reportedly spent the entire month in the USA and UK.
He popped in and out of Ghana for a night or two and went back on the next flight. He spent time in the UK to undergo leadership training and to meet senior occupational psychologists to help manage and control his temperament, says reports picked up by Whatsup News.
Since taking over from Dr. K.K. Sarpong in April, after the battle of wills between Nana Asante Bediatuo, Executive Secretary to the President, and Gabby Asare Otchere Darko, notorious cousin of the president, Mr. Opoku Ahwenie-Danquah has spent 40 out of his 60 days so far as CEO out of office.
His shuttle between the UK, the US, and Dubai, has quickly cost the GNPC some US$20,000 in expenses, according to sources. And this is minus £3,500 in per diems he has received; first-class tickets and Presidential suites in posh hotels.
Unhappy sources have been confirming that these globetrotting expenses are above what the travel policy and his conditions of service permit him.
Mr. Danquah is said to have had this same penchant for traveling while he was Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Technical under K.K. Sarpong, earning him the nickname, “DCE Travel.”
One of the many Akufo-Addo family members appointed in the president’s government, he was muscled into office by Nana Asante Bediatuo in April when K.K. Sarpong was due for retirement.
Bediatuo’s appointment was something that President Akufo-Addo ought to have done, however, the President’s secretary took matters into his hands and signed the letters appointing the new GNPC boss.
And Bediatuo what he did, apparently to beat off Gabby Asare Otchere Darko who had a different candidate in mind. Therefore, on 25/04/2022, Opoku Ahwenie Danquah took office as the new GNPC CEO.
He is said to have started business as CEO by showing tough muscle – moving his supporters and backers at the GNPC into strategic positions.
First, Comfort Aniagyei, was screwed in place as Chief Finance Officer with the appointment of four of his men – Nana Kwaku Okyere as Personal Assistant, Yaw Mpare, as Aide in charge of Finance and Commerce, Nana Kofi Frimpong as Aide in charge of Technical and Yaw Ackonor as Aide in charge of HR and Admin.
According to sources, these appointments were made to make the two other Deputy Chief Executives (DCEs) redundant.
And Opoku Ahwenie is said to have the full backing of Freddie Blay, Board Chairman of the GNPC who confirmed Bediatuo’s appointment of him as Mr. Blay is said to have given him free hand to do as he pleases.
Meanwhile, as he enjoys his cash-guzzling travels, he is painting a gloomy picture of the finances of the GNPC and taking a swipe at his predecessor.
Mr. Opoku Ahwenie is said to have lied about the financial standing of the corporation by not accounting for dome $100M Jubilee Holding Account and presenting a disjointed chart to say that the corporation was in a deficit of $12M.
Meanwhile, he transferred the head of Internal Audit Unit without recourse to the law. These actions of transfers and reassignments are said to be fueled by vindictiveness.
Meanwhile, sources say all payments remain on hold with many speculating that some people are probably trying to get contractors to drop kickbacks.