The General Transport Petroleum Chemical Workers Union (GTPCWU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has called on President John Dramani Mahama to establish an independent, non-partisan committee to review and scrutinize the activities and performance of the recently dissolved Board of Directors of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR).
In a press conference today, the National Chairman of GTPCWU, Mr Bernard Owusu, highlighted several concerns regarding the actions of the erstwhile TOR Board, alleging significant lapses and decisions driven by personal interests.
He pointed out that during its tenure, only a few members of the board, Mr Apenteng, Mrs Sapara Grant, and Mr Ato Morisson, were actively involved in decision-making.
“Being a public institution, TOR holds significant importance to the nation. The Board of Directors must be held accountable for all decisions that had adverse financial consequences, which were proven to be driven by personal interest,” Mr. Owusu stated.
The union alleged that the board engaged individuals and affiliates associated with the previous government in various non-transparent transactions, undermining the integrity of the institution.
Mr Owusu emphasized that an independent review of the board’s actions would restore public trust and ensure adherence to best practices in governance and financial management.
GTPCWU outlined specific areas for the proposed committee to investigate, including:
1. Negligence in partnership arrangements: The board’s attempt to engage Decimal Capital-VITOL in a joint partnership, despite VITOL’s written communication to the Ministry of Energy, disassociates itself from such an arrangement.
2. Irregular incorporation of entities: Allowing the creation of Torentco Asset Management Limited, a special purpose vehicle established by Decimal Capital shareholders, to obscure structural irregularities identified by the union.
3. Collusion in forming Tema Energy and Processing Limited: Alleged collaboration between the TOR Board, Mr. Michael Darko, Mr. Christopher Hesse-Tetteh, and certain compromised TOR workers to incorporate Tema Energy and Processing Limited. This included creating the TOR Workers Charity Trust without the knowledge or approval of TOR management and workers.
4. Questionable promotions and reassignments: Promotions granted to five workers involved in the TOR Workers Charity Trust and the removal or reassignment of competent managers who resisted manipulation.
5. Irregular issuance of contracts: The processes surrounding the Request for Proposal (RFP) and subsequent agreements with NETOLL, which require thorough examination.
The union further condemned incidents of thuggery in the petroleum and energy sector, urging President Mahama to direct law enforcement agencies to investigate and arrest perpetrators responsible for attacks on institutions such as Bui Power Authority, Ghana Gas, BOST, and TOR.
“The establishment of this independent committee will safeguard public trust and demonstrate the government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance,” Mr Owusu concluded.
GTPCWU reiterated its call for swift action to ensure that individuals involved in any irregularities are held accountable and that the nation’s critical energy sector institutions are protected from further harm.