Deputy Energy Minister Apologises For No-Show

Deputy Energy Minister, Kobina Hammond, says his ministry is standing by every allegation it has made against the former chief executive of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, Tsatsu Tsikata. He was speaking at a hastily called press conference in reaction to address concerns about his failure to appear on JOY FM's current affairs programme, Front Page, to face Mr. Tsikata on the allegations leveled against him.

The deputy minister apologised to Ghanaians and said it was due to circumstances beyond his control. However, he said Mr. Tsikata failed to address the substantive issues at both his press conference on Thursday and during his interview with Joy FM on Friday. According to the deputy Energy Minister, there are 15 boxes full of damning charges against Mr. Tsikata.

He reiterated his ministry’s allegation that the former chief executive single-handedly took most of the decisions that resulted in huge financial losses to the company and government in his capacity as chief executive and acting board chairman. Mr. Hammond also said the Risk Management Board of the GNPC, which was tasked to take decisions on derivates and other activities of the corporation could not act without authorization from Mr. Tsikata.

The former chief executive has also been accused of taking a loan of seven billion Cedis from the Consolidated Discount Bank by presenting false information. The loan together with interest now stands at 13.7 billion Cedis. Mr. Hammond said the government would take a decision to prosecute Mr. Tsikata after the Attorney General has studied the documents.