Board Chairman of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and former chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Freddie Blay, has responded to the accusations and demands made by 29 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) calling for his resignation.
The calls for his resignation stem from GNPC's plan to sell a 50% stake in Jubilee Holdings Limited (JOHL) to PetroSA.
Mr Blay asserted that he had done nothing wrong in the deal and sees no reason to step down.
In an interview on Eyewitness News on Citi FM, he maintained that he has a clear conscience regarding the share sale and will only resign if the president, who appointed him, no longer wants him to serve.
“Possibly, I could be fired, but I don't see any reason why they are saying I should resign about this issue. I have done nothing wrong. I have observed my conscience and I thought I was protecting the interest of the country, and I am convinced about it and if others think otherwise and if those who appointed me are saying otherwise, then so be it.”
Mr Blay also disclosed that he has discussed the matter with President Akufo-Addo.
“I have spoken to the president about it, and we haven't gotten to where he will ask for his job back. It is not about convincing the president, the law will speak for itself and the law will talk and there are few documents on the agreement.”
Furthermore, he clarified that he has no animosity towards the Energy Minister, Mathew Opoku Prempeh, contrary to reports by a section of the media.
“I don't think we [he and Mr Prempeh] have any differences that are so serious that they are detrimental to the interest of Ghana. You know, NAPO has strong opinions, and I am also a little determined when I am talking about anything that I know of. We met today and we exchanged ideas brightly.”
During a press conference on May 23, the 29 CSOs demanded the removal of Opoku Ahweneeh Danquah, the GNPC's Chief Executive Officer, and Freddie Blay, the Board Chairman.
