The Chief Executive of Officer of Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Kofi Koduah Sarpong, 68, has turned his attention towards the vacant Offinso stool in the Ashanti Region pushing everything within his grasp to become the next Offinsohene.
One week observation ceremony for the passing of the late Offinsomanhene, Nana Wiafe Akenteng III, began last Friday 26th November, 2021 and is expected to end today, Monday 29th November, 2021.
The solemn event, believed to be heavily sponsored by Mr. Sarpong, had seen some town folks shouting Nana ooh! Nana ooh!
It is, however, uncertain if he is qualified for the role and whether he is the most suitable candidate for the position.
Nana Wiafe Akenteng III, the Paramount Chief of Offinso who was the third in command of the Ashanti Kingdom, passed on in October, this year and yet to be buried, however, candidates have started jostling for the stool.
The respected soft-spoken Nana Wiafe Akenteng III, who was a businessman died on Saturday, October 2, 2021, at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi where he was receiving treatment after falling ill.
Reports are that KK Sarpong has been frequenting the area in recent times and made inroads into the minds of some traditional authorities there.
The Herald’s sources on the ground alleged that GNPC resources were being used to propagate KK Sarpong’s bid to become the next Offinsomanhene.
They mentioned how top management of GNPC who mainly KK Sarpong’s prodigies and who’s appointment into GNPC was made by him have all been knotted pulled to Offinso to help their Godfather show off in his bid to become the next Offinsomanhene.
Officers counted there include; Ben Acolatse : GNPC’s Deputy Chief Executive Finance and Administration.
Kwame Baah Nuako: General Manager for Sustainability and Stakeholder relations at GNPC; a long time errand boy of Mr. Sarpong from his days at Kumasi Asante Kotoko as well as Royal Bank Ghana Limited.
Patrick Ofori : a former Physical Education teacher who has been appointed Manager for Crude oil products marketing at GNPSC.
All GNPC protocol department staff had reportedly been moved to Offinso at the expense of the taxpayer and are providing services at the beck and call of KK Sarpong.
GNPC vehicles (SUV’s and pick-ups) have been moved to Offinso to chauffeur KK Sarpong and his dignitaries and GNPC management staff that have been stationed in the town.
Meanwhile, Mr. KK Sarpong was expected to be in court today in the case in which the editor of The Herald newspaper sued him over his age, 68, and continuous stay in office as GNPC boss.
He instead sent one Elizabeth Coleman, an official of GNPC’s legal department to represent him and GNPC.
Lawyer Sam Kyere, an ex-staff of GNPC, but currently with the law firm of Ossei-Aidooh Akpokavie Kyere & Co, was at the Labour Two to represent Mr. Sarpong and the GNPC.
The Attorney-General, the third defendant in the case, did not show up.
The case was adjourned to February 8th,2022 for a case management conference.
The court directed all the parties to file their witness statements ahead of that day.
