An old video of former Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, has resurfaced online amidst allegations of extorting GH₵280.51 million from oil marketing companies.

The video, popularized ahead of the 2016 general elections when he was spokesperson for then-candidate Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, features his catchphrase "We need to rescue this country, walahi."

Dr Abdul-Hamid coined this mantra to urge Ghanaians to vote out the NDC, then in power, citing economic mismanagement, corruption, and insensitivity to Ghanaians' plight.

However, he now faces accusations of massive extortion, starkly contrasting his anti-corruption stance prior to the 2016 general elections which his party eventually won.

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has alleged that Dr Abdul-Hamid masterminded a GH₵280 million extortion scandal when he headed the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) as its Chief Executive.

The news of his alleged scandal has generated huge interest among many Ghanaians especially the youth and social media users.

Online commentators have criticized him, suggesting his purported "rescue" mission while his party was in opposition was nothing than a political ploy strategically engineered to hoodwink the people.

Meanwhile, Dr Abdul-Hamid has pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy, extortion, and using public office for profit.

He was granted bail in the sum of GH₵2 million with two sureties when he appeared before the court on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.



NAAB/KA

GhanaWeb Special: The gold market that fuels galamsey