News
‘I was suddenly accused of being in bed with NPP’- Ofosu-Ampofo on losing NDC chair position
Ten months after his defeat, the former National Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) Dr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo is yet to come to terms with it.
In December last year, he lost his seat to then General Secretary, John Asiedu Nketia. The latter polled 65.17%, while Dr Ofosu-Ampofo got 33.81% votes.
Despite Mr Nketia’s landslide victory, the former chairman said events leading to the contest still haunt him.
According to him, during the contest, there were many speculations about him which he finds difficult to understand.
Dr Ofosu-Ampofo said he was surprised that some party members fabricated things about him even as one of the longest-serving members of the party.
“How on earth could anybody think that I will be in bed with NPP? But all of a sudden my Akyem lineage was brought into question, that I am part of the Akyem mafias. I am in bed with the NPP,” he said.
He said there was a need to sanitise the party to avoid the recurrence of such needless propaganda especially during internal elections.
“From 1992 when this party was organised we haven’t had such an acrimonious environment where press conferences are organised with accusations and insults and all those things. I have not seen it before and I still feel that we need to sanitise the campaign environment when it comes to internal elections,” he said.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
News
President Mahama nominates third batch of Ministers
The President, John Dramani Mahama, has submitted the names of the underlisted to Parliament through the Speaker.
This is for prior approval to serve as Ministers of State and Regional Ministers.
As part of the appointment, Okudzeto Ablakwa will lead the ForeignAffairs,Dr Omane Boamah takes charge of Defence, and Muntaka Mubarak supervises the Interior.
Check the list below
News
Afetsi Awoonor takes over as BOST’s new MD… pledges to strengthen company, enhance collaboration
The Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company Limited (BOST) has welcomed Afetsi Awoonor, a veteran energy sector executive with extensive Sub-Saharan trading experience, as its seventh Managing Director.
The appointment, announced by President John Dramani Mahama’s administration, took effect on January 20, 2025, is expected to deliver a strategic shift at one of West Africa’s key oil infrastructure companies.
The transition was formalised during a handover ceremony at BOST’s Head Office in Accra, where outgoing MD, Dr. Edwin Provencal ceremonially transferred leadership responsibilities to his successor in what officials described as “an exemplary display of corporate governance practice.”
Mr. Awoonor brings nearly a decade of experience in the African oil and gas sector, most recently serving as Senior Partner at DOC Africa and Regional Head of Sales and Marketing at Convenio Energy, where he oversaw hydrocarbon trading operations across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. His appointment marks a return to BOST, where he previously served as Manager of Government Relations from September 2016 to April 2017.
During the handover ceremony, Mr. Awoonor expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Provencal for his dedicated service and impactful leadership.
“I want to express my deepest gratitude to Dr. Provencal for his exceptional leadership. Under his guidance, BOST has grown to new heights, and I am honored to carry the torch forward. My focus will be on further strengthening the company and fostering an environment of collaboration, innovation, and excellence as we drive the next phase of growth and success for BOST and the nation,” Mr. Awoonor added.
The new MD further stated that his immediate focus is on internal stakeholder engagement, with plans to directly engage with team members, as he highlighted his commitment to fostering a collaborative, congenial, high-performing work environment.
The occasion was described as “both a reflection of BOST’s solid governance framework and a celebration of a promising new chapter for one of Ghana’s most critical institutions in the energy sector.”
The appointment has received broad support from various stakeholders. The BOST Senior Staff Union, through its leadership, pledged their “full support and cooperation to Mr. Awoonor and his leadership team as we work together to achieve the company’s strategic objectives.” The union further noted that the appointment “demonstrates the President’s commitment to selecting highly qualified individuals to lead key institutions” in the country.
Similarly, the Ketu North arm of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), in their congratulatory message, noted that “this critical designation is a testament to his unwavering dedication, loyalty, and exceptional competence.” They also expressed “profound gratitude to H.E. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic, for recognising and rewarding loyalty, hard work, competence, and merit through this crucial appointment.”
Mr. Awoonor’s educational background includes an Executive Master’s in International Oil & Gas Leadership from the Geneva Graduate Institute and a Master’s degree in Oil and Gas Management from IFP School, both completed in 2015. This technical expertise is complemented by his extensive practical experience in hydrocarbon trading and business development across sub-Saharan Africa.
Beyond his corporate role, Mr. Awoonor has demonstrated commitment to social development through the Afetsi Awoonor Foundation, established in 2023 to support human resource development in local communities, with particular focus on youth and women empowerment through training, mentorship, and entrepreneurship initiatives.
The appointment has also garnered significant local support. In a letter to the President, the Weta Traditional Area Chiefs’ Council noted that “this appointment not only reflects your commitment to recognising capable leaders like Mr. Awoonor, whose expertise and dedication will significantly contribute to the success of BOST and the nation as a whole, but it has also brought immense pride and joy to the entire Weta community.”
The Volta Regional Youth Wing of the NDC added that “your elevation to this prestigious position is a testament to the President’s confidence in the Ghanaian youth and most importantly, his recognition of your expertise, dedication, and commitment to the oil industry and your leadership abilities.”
Incorporated in 1993, BOST – as the nation’s primary bulk oil storage and transportation company – plays a crucial role in the country’s energy security and distribution infrastructure. The company’s leadership transition comes at a time when efficient management of oil storage and transportation infrastructure remains critical to national and regional energy sector development.
Mr. Awoonor’s previous role at Convenio Energy, where he managed relationships with refineries, National and International oil companies (NOC/IOC), bulk distributors, oil marketers, importers/exporters, public and private sector companies, is expected to aid in his current capacity.