CSOs in Ghana open their mouths to criticize anyhow – GNPC Boss

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, Dr. Kofi Koduah Sarpong has slammed some Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) over what he describes as lack of better understanding on the GNPC’s proposed oil deal with Aker Energy and AGM.

To him, the CSO groups refused to seek better understanding about the deal and were moved on spewing negative comments into the media space to divert attention to have the contract sealed.

Speaking in an interview with Citi TV, Mr. Sarpong said the groups are completely being misguided because their concerns are borne out of the lack of having real-time information on the deal and must avail themselves for learning process.

“When this conversation started, people have made wild comments. My style is not to respond to rabble-rousers. I do not do that. I have better things to respond to. Some of the CSOs have spoken to us. But they are divided, and it’s a mockery.

“Some are hired by other people just to destroy what we want to do. But the discerning ones among them have been to us. The good book tells us to ask, seek and knock [and you shall find]. They are not doing it, but set their own questions and provide their own answers. It is very unfair to professionals like us”.

He added, “We are not buying the two blocs at US$ 1.3 billion. We have not said so. What the Minister requested was the mandate that he can go and negotiate within that limit. But parliament after consideration said it will give a limit of US$ 1.1 billion for acquisition. Even that is not conclusive; maybe they can beat it and see if people will play ball.

“That perception that a price has been determined is erroneous. If you bring two experts to value the two blocs, I will be very surprised that you will get the same figure. Unless their assumptions are the same. I engaged Lambert. Some can engage Bank of America, HSBC but the question is what are the assumptions underlying these valuations. These evaluations are to help us get the acquisition price.”