Dr. Kofi Koduah Sarpong, whose tenure as Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) ended today, has snubbed his successor, Opoku-Ahweneeh Danquah, who until yesterday, was the Deputy Chief Executive Officer in charge of technical operations.
The Herald has seen a copy of Dr. Sarpong farewell message to the staff in which he begged for forgiveness from them but interestingly failed to acknowledge Opoku-Ahweneeh Danquah, as the incoming CEO of the GNPC.
Nowhere in the goodbye letter did the outgoing GNPC boss, mentioned or sought to pay compliments to Opoku-Ahweneeh Danquah, confirming reports of bad blood between the two of them, and also claims that he had wanted the Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Finance and Administration at the GNPC, Benjamin Acolatse, to take over from him.
Many had expected him in the Petroleum House to speak to the GNPC workers but he rather sent them a one-page letter saying “Human as I am, I may have inadvertently stepped on some toes in my bid to get the best for the organization. Please find a place in your heart to forgive me. It was never out of malice but for our common good”.
His absence from the Petroleum House in Tema, where the bulk of GNPC staff are, has been attributed to the fear that he could be embarrassed by the staff if he attempts to address them at a durbar.
Additional claims are that he is not in the country.
He had stepped on many toes and remained good, only in the books of the many workers he brought from Kotoko football Club, Global Haulage and Royal Bank some of whom are related to him regardless of the required technical expertise needed by the Cooperation.
There are reports of unresolved grievances against the management and board. Some of the workers had expected to pour out their frustrations at staff durbars but they were never held.
The Herald’s information was that the only, held was used by management to insult and threaten some people.
Additional reports on the tenure of Dr. Sarpong is that he remained glued to the GNPC office in Accra; Mankata House withn the Airport Residential Area. He was never in touch with the staff of the corporation. His relationship with the board was equally bad.
Dr. Sarpong sought to praise himself saying “all together transformed this organization from just a few oil development projects to a much stronger national oil company with a lot more producing fields and discoveries. Indeed, we have achieved a lot together and I hope you are as proud of our achievements as I am”.
“To name a few – the Research & Technology Centre is near completion; the Takoradi Operational Office is under construction and the Accra Head Office project is just about to begin. Springfield’s West Cape Three Points Block, ENI’s Block 4 and Aker Energy’s Pecan Field will come on stream in the very near future. During my tenure, a lot more Ghanaians assessed the GNPC Foundation scholarship. More CSR projects were undertaken in line with GNPC’s objective to have its operations have a positive impact on the indigenes of this country.
“Together we came, we saw and we conquered. Ayekoo to all of you!! It has been a pleasure working with you and I am honestly going to miss everyone.
Meanwhile, The Herald has picked up report that the GNPC Board led by Freddie Blay, has thrown out a GHC7 million the equivalent of US$1 million being demanded, Dr. Sarpong as his severance package.
An Internal Auditor by name Nicholas Tetteh, according to The Herald’s information had claimed that Dr. Sarpong was entitled to the severance package, but this was rejected by the Board of Director at their last meeting on Friday, but Dr. Sarpong is said to have threatened legal action against the management and board.
The board’s position was that Dr. Sarpong, was not sacked from the Corporation but served his contract term of 5 years and got an extra three months during which he got all his entitlements including salaries and allowances in full.
Severance pay is compensation given to an employee who is laid off, whose job has been eliminated, or who has otherwise parted ways with a company unwillingly.
The boards had insisted that Dr. Sarpong was not entitled to any severance package since his appointment was not terminated.
Below is what he sent to the workers.
Dear All,
As you already aware, I will step down as Chief Executive of your esteemed Corporation on 22nd April, 2022.
My tenure in GNPC began some five (5) years ago during which time we have all together transformed this organization from just a few oil development projects to a much stronger national oil company with a lot more producing fields and discoveries. Indeed, we have achieved a lot together and I hope you are as proud of our achievements as I am.
To name a few – the Research & Technology Centre is near completion; the Takoradi Operational Office is under construction and the Accra Head Office project is just about to begin. Springfield’s West Cape Three Points Block, ENI’s Block 4 and Aker Energy’s Pecan Field will come onstream in the very near future. During my tenure, a lot more Ghanaians assessed the GNPC Foundation scholarship. More CSR projects were undertaken in line with
GNPC’s objective to have its operations have a positive impact on the indigenes of this country.
Serving as CEO for this country’s oil and gas institution comes with huge responsibility.
However, you made it smooth sailing for me. I say this because I had the opportunity to meet and work with every talented, smart and dedicated professionals whose experience and skill made it easy for me to steer this ship. Working with such a fantastic team to achieve all that we have in such a short time warms my heart. I leave knowing that you will build on the good foundation we have created together.
Together we came, we saw and we conquered. Ayekoo to all of you!! It has been a pleasure working with you and I am honestly going to miss everyone.
Human as I am, I may have inadvertently stepped on some toes in my bid to get the best for the organization. Please find a place in your heart to forgive me. It was never out of malice but for our common good.
