The heads of Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority Mr. Paul Asare Ansah, Ghana Export Promotion Authority, GEPA, Gifty Klenam and the Bulk Oil Storage and Transport Company, Alfred Obeng Boateng, have had their appointments terminated as part of governments restructuring program .
Mr Ansah Asare MD, of GPHA has been replaced by Mr Michael Achagwe Luguje, who is currently the Secretary-General, Port Management Association for West and Central Africa, based in Nigeria.
Reasons for Mr. Paul Ansah’s removal from office are not immediately known but it is believed to have been triggered by a recent spat between workers’ union of the Ports Authority and Board Chair, Peter Mac Manu whom they accuse of engaging in wrongful undertakings as well as running a family and friends’ administration.
The Board Chairman denied all the allegations and caused his lawyers to write to the leaders of the union demanding a retraction and apology and threatening legal action if they fail to.
Mr Ansah was reported to have been present at the press conference by the workers’ union where the allegations against Mr Mac Manu were detailed, pitching him firmly against the Board Chairman who is a former Chairman of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).
In the case of Alfred Obeng, letter signed by the Executive Secretary to the President, Nana Bediatuo Asante said Mr Obeng has until Friday, June 8, to hand over to one George Mensah Okley.
Mr. Obeng Boateng’s reign as BOST Managing Director has been dogged by one controversy and another relating to the sale of contaminated fuel to some private organizations.
He was, however, cleared by Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), according to Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko who had set up a committee to investigate the sale. Mr. Obeng’s dismissal was the second major announcement by the Presidency following the termination of the appointment of Managing Director of Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Paul Asare Ansah. He has been directed to vacate his office by close of day, Friday, June 8.
