Boakye Agyarko, Minister of Energy
Ministry of Energy has set up a three-member committee to investigate allegations leveled by the board members of the Ghana Cylinder Manufacturing Company (GCMC) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Frances Essiam.
The Ministry is also collaborating with the State Enterprises Commission (SEC) to investigate allegations leveled against the CEO of GCMC by a senior member of staff of the company.
A statement issued by the Energy Ministry and signed by Lawrence Apiaase, Chief Director of the ministry, said, “It has also come to the notice of the ministry that the board of the GCMC has, in a meeting held on 8 May 2018, suspended the CEO of the company and subsequently recommended the establishment of a committee to conduct investigations into allegations of malpractices leveled against the CEO by a senior member of staff.
“It’s the considered view of the Ministry that due to the nature of the impasse and the fact that the board is an interested party in the matter, an independent committee will produce a more objective result. Consequently, the ministry, in consultation with SEC, has set up a three-member committee comprising a chartered accountant, banker and a Petroleum Expert at the Ministry, to investigate the matter.”
The ministry has therefore assured the general public that it would resolve the impasse at Ghana Cylinder Manufacturing Company.
It would be recalled that on Tuesday evening, six of the nine-member board voted for the suspension of Madam Essiam at a meeting held outside the company.
She was suspended after board members of the company were prevented from holding a meeting within the premises of GCMC.
Workers of the company were also denied access to the company when they reported for work that day.
Some of the allegations leveled against the Madam Essiam include awarding several contracts without due process, contracting a loan to pay worker’s February salary without the approval of the board or the Ministry, sale of unused machines of the company without consulting the board.
The board, in a letter, warned the CEO to not touch a GH¢5 million stimulus package secured for the company by the government.
However, Madam Essiam has denied all the allegations against her.
From Vincent Kubi, Tema