Business News of Sunday, 14 July 2013

Source: GNA

Power struggle at Ghana Export Promotion Council

The Bureau for Internal Affairs (BIA), an anti-corruption organisation, has called for presidential inquiry into an alleged power struggle at Ghana Export Promotion Council (GEPC).

“BIA is reliably informed that there is a power feud between the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Internal Auditor, which is undermining government’s interest,” a statement issued by Mr Godfred Nkrumah, Co-ordinating Director of the Bureau said in Accra on Saturday.

The position of CEO at GEPC became vacant when the late President John Evans Atta Mills selected Mr Kwadwo Owusu Agyeman, the then boss, as Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.

Mr Nkrumah alleged that Mr Kwadwo Normashie, the Internal Auditor, who was made Acting CEO of the Council with the support of some members of the Board, has refused to hand over to Mr Gideon Quarcoo, former Deputy Minister of Communications, who has been appointed as the new head by President John Dramani Mahama.

BIA is, therefore, calling on the government to intervene as quickly as possible to end the stalemate.

“BIA also is recommending the re-constitution of the board to help streamline the operations of GEPC.

Mr Nkrumah said some of the members of the Board who are not happy about events at GEPC laid the blame on a highly placed figure amongst them.

He said in order not to betray the oath of secrecy by members, they have decided to make a formal complaint to the presidency and name and shame their colleague they blame for the confusion.

BIA is an anti corruption organisation and a centre for information gathering on public concerns with the aim of bridging the communication gap between the public and the authorities on issues negatively affecting the nation.