John Aseeph (middle) addressing the media
THE UNIONIZED workers of the Ghana Ports and Habours Authority (GPHA) have vented their spleen on the Board Chairman of the GPHA, Peter Mac Manu, for allegedly engaging himself in conflict of interest at the Port.
The workers asserted that Mr Mac Manu has seven companies operating at the Port, five of which are stevedore and the remaining two-cleaning companies.
They also alleged that the Board Chairman of the GPHA had obtained for himself a contract of over GH?4 million for wiring
the newly constructed electrical and material block of GPHA.
According to the workers, Peter Mac Manu was interfering in the day-to-day running of the GPHA and had been intimidating management staff. Three of his children are now the biggest suppliers to the authority.
He is using his position to circumvent the procurement process in order to acquire for himself a tug boat (Tema Manhean).
They have therefore given the GPHA board chairman two weeks ultimatum to desist from his alleged practices which have the tendency to adversely affect operations at the ports and revenue generation, otherwise they will advise themselves.
This was revealed at a press conference organized by members of the union in Takoradi yesterday.
Chairman of the Senior Staff Association of GPHA at the Tema port in the Greater Accra Region, John Aseeph, noted that the alleged behaviour of the GPHA board chairman did not augur well for the authority.
He mentioned that Mr Manu had imposed himself on the board of the Meridian Ports Service (MPS) that operates a container terminal which handles seaborne freight traffic in Ghana.
He also alleged that the board chairman’s wife had taken over ticketing for staff travels and that the GHPA was charged cut-throat prices.
He continued that three of the board chairman’s children were the biggest supplies to the GPHA currently.
He indicated that Mr Mac Manu was using his position to circumvent the procurement process in order to acquire for himself a tug boat at Tema. And spare parts had been procured to refurbish the tug boat recently.
“Mr Mac Manu is facilitating contract on a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project and also requesting management to let the company pay $200,000 for 25 years”, he asserted.
He alleged that the board chairman of GPHA attempted to sell a 24vdc Caterpillar engine starter which sold for GHc9,000.00 from Mantrac, to GPHA at a price of GHc30, 000.00 from his supply company.
“Mr Mac Manu is also putting pressure on management to pay over GHc10 million to Britak Steel Company Limited over a matter that is in court”, he revealed.
Also, the board chairman’s wife has taken over ticketing for
staff travels and the authority is being billed at cut-throat prices.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi