Management of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and the Senior Staff Union (SSU), have thrown their weight behind the CEO of the Corporation, Opoku Ahweneeh Danquah, in the face of attacks on his leadership.
There have been reports, suggesting confusion within the corporation with a petition sent to the Board led by Freddie Blay to call Mr Ahweneeh Danquah, to order by creating the right environment to foster productivity.
Last Friday, The Herald, published a content of a petition sent to Board in which the CEO of the corporation, Mr Ahweneeh Danquah, was said to have sanctioned some internal transfers contrary to the employment mobility and transfer policy of the corporation.
Among others, the new Acting Chief Executive, was accused of poor human relations, erratic and reckless conduct, leading to financial loss and unprofessional conduct, but the Senior Staff Union (SSU) of GNPC in a counter statement, has dispelled the claims.
The union, says it firmly backs Mr. Ahweneeh Danquah, in his “stellar” leadership, and is appalled by “the unsubstantiated publications.”
The union noted that, the Executive body of the Senior Staff Union, has not “received any complaint or grievance whatsoever from any person or group regarding the conduct of our Chief Executive.”
A statement issued by the Corporate Affairs department of the corporation, said contrary to reports, “there is currently industrial harmony, and the prevailing atmosphere in the corporation is one of calmness.”
It said Mr Danquah, has brought on board some positive energy to the operations of GNPC and is determinedly steering the corporation in the right direction.
“There is indeed a general sense of hope and great expectations amongst staff,” it added.
Contrary to reports that the CEO has provided misleading information about the finances of GNPC and unprofessional conduct, the union said he has “instituted cost-saving measures and improved capacity building for staff in key areas to upgrade their knowledge and competencies to help GNPC execute its mandate as the National Oil Company of Ghana.”
“To effectively utilise the skillsets of staff and diversify their knowledge base, Mr. Danquah has made cross-functional movements consistent with industry practice as well as GNPC’s Corporate Plan in compliance with the Conditions of Service, after obtaining Board approval. These movements are aimed at energising the corporation to respond to current global trends in the oil and gas industry.”
“To enhance team bonding, unity, and camaraderie, he is enabling an environment through consistent staff engagement, especially with the Senior Executive Committee (ExCom), where there is open discourse for corporate advancement.”
The management and staff of the corporation assured the general public and stakeholders that it is “unwaveringly focused on its ultimate goal of increasing oil and gas reserves for the country and profoundly impacting the livelihoods of all Ghanaians.”
Opoku Ahwenee Danquah, a relative and prodigy of the Secretary of the President, Nana Bediatuo Asante, within months of assuming his new role, has caused a stir at the national oil company in a way many workers, have said if not halted, would make him and the organisation catch fire.
In a 10-paragraph petition by Concerned Staff, Mr Danquah was faulted as having erratic behaviour that often sets him in confrontation with experts and management staff, who he should be learning from.
For instance, “During his onboarding week, the Ag. CEO was seen arguing loudly with experts and appeared not to understand the basic principle of governance, finance audit, and public sector processes. We believe he could have managed his emotion in a more professional manner in dealing with those experts”.
He is accused of being reckless, presenting to staff financial statements, in which he cited his predecessor for misappropriation, claims that turned out to be false.
The petition, was addressed to the Board Chairman of GNPC and copied to Board Members, Minister for Energy, Members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Energy and Mines.
It said “….while he falsely accused his predecessor to have misappropriated the Corporation’s Fund of about 12 million USD, he smartly concealed the 100 million USD funds the Corporation had received from Jubilee Holding Lifting in his financial report”.
Again, he is accused of sidelining General Managers and Deputy Chief Executives, in his daily running of the affairs of GNPC, preferring instead to deal with four officers he has appointed as special aides to interface with them, inviting these darling boys even to sit in Executive Committee (Excom) meetings.
These boys, additionally sit in Entity Tender Committee (ETC) meetings. ExCom is the highest management decision making body, whereas the ETC is the highest decision making body for procurement and supplies.
These behaviours by the Acting CEO, according to staff, run contrary to Professionalism, which is a core value of GNPC.
Furthermore, in clear violation of the guidelines and policy on employee mobility and transfers, the Ag. CEO, is accused of directing the crisscross transfer of thirty (30) employees across the business, without regard for career aspirations and progression.
These mass transfers which have been backdated to take effect from April 1, 2022, the day on which he assumed duty, were carried out, also without prior consultations with even the heads of the affected departments.
Worse still, there is no immediate training plan to properly train some in the new roles assigned, which requires special knowledge and skills.
For instance, an engineer, without any education, training or procurement background has been transferred to head and manage all IT, Works, and Technical Procurement. These the staff believe would affect efficiency and productivity.
The GNPC boss’s erratic behaviour and indecision, are said to have resulted in the cancellation of an important workshop by the corporation after postponing it twice, for which the organisation must pay.
“Additionally, his leadership style is also causing financial loss to the Corporation. The Corporation is to pay Royal Senchi Hotel an amount of about GH 200,000.00 for a workshop the Corporation never attended because of his indecision. He postponed the workshop on two occasions and eventually canceled it and the hotel is rightfully asking GNPC to pay. We believe a consultation with relevant stakeholders on this matter would have averted this financial loss”, the petition said.
One of the affected staff, Dr Patrick Ofori, a confidante of KK Sarpong, jumped boat, rather than reporting to his other colleague, Dr Kwame Baah Nuakoh, with whom he worked under the former CEO, dating back to their days at Kotoko. Dr Ofori, has since been appointed the CEO of the Chamber of bulk oil distributors.
There appears to be an eerie silence along the corridors of the Corporation, the Concerned staff, have cautioned, pleading with the Board to investigate and call Opoku Ahwenee Danquah to order.
