Edwina Akufo-Addo, the daughter of President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo has denied any involvement in the contaminated fuel saga raging at the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company Limited (BOST).
Ms Akufo-Addo was responding to claims reportedly made by a member of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi, that there were rumours linking the first daughter to the scandal at BOST.
BOST came under the spotlight when it was revealed that it had sold 5 million litres of contaminated products to unlicensed companies in a deal that several observers claim cost the nation millions of cedis.
Mr Gyamfi is quoted as having said on Asempa FM: “I am hearing rumours that one of Akufo-Addo’s daughters, Edwina, is deeply involved in the matter so is it the reason why he is silent? This BOST issue can’t be swept under the [carpet], looking at its gargantuan nature.”
However according to Ms Akufo-Addo, she has no ties to Movenpinna or Zup Oil, the two companies identified to have bought contaminated fuel from BOST, and was not involved in the petroleum sector.
She added that she had no relationship with the MD of the company, Alfred Obeng Boateng who was exonerated of any wrongdoing in the matter by the Energy Minister, based on a report from the BNI last week.
“I wish to state categorically that this allegation is false. I have no such involvement in this matter. I have no relationship with any of the two companies, Movenpinaa Energy and Zupoil, that have been mentioned and have admitted to having been involved in the transaction of the said off-spec product. I have done no business with BOST or its MD, Alfred Obeng Boateng, and can, therefore, not be in a position to be described as “deeply involved” in this transaction or any other transaction whatsoever with BOST,” her statement said.
“If I may stress, I have never had any interaction with any of the two companies involved or any personalities connected with these two companies. I have no business in the petroleum sector, either upstream or downstream, and have no commercial interest with BOST, Movenpiina Energy or Zupoil.”
According to Edwin Akufo-Addo, the comments were an attempt by the NDC to “tarnish the image” of her father, the President, something she claims they had attempted to do without success since 2008.
“I am fully aware that this fabrication is not about me. It is said that “when the debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the loser”. This is, yet, another example of the NDC trying to tarnish the image of my father, the President of the Republic. They have, since 2008, tried without success, and one would have hoped that they would have learnt their lessons by sticking to the facts and telling the truth, rather than propagating falsehoods.”
She has demanded a retraction of the story which has been posted on Adomonline and Ghanaweb.
My attention has been drawn to a publication on Adomonline and Ghanaweb, “Akufo-Addo’s daughter fingered in BOST oil saga.” In the said publication, a member of the National Democratic Congress, Sammy Gyamfi, is said to have described me, Edwina Akufo-Addo, on Asempa FM, as rumoured to be “deeply involved” in the contaminated fuel issue involving the Bulk Oil Storage & Distribution (BOST) entity.
He is quoted as having said on radio last Friday, “I am hearing rumours that one of Akufo-Addo’s daughters, Edwina, is deeply involved in the matter so is it the reason why he is silent? This BOST issue can’t be swept under the [carpet], looking at its gargantuan nature.”
I wish to state categorically that this allegation is false. I have no such involvement in this matter. I have no relationship with any of the two companies, Movenpinaa Energy and Zupoil, that have been mentioned and have admitted to having been involved in the transaction of the said off-spec product. I have done NO BUSINESS with BOST or its MD, Alfred Obeng Boateng, and can, therefore, not be in a position to be described as “deeply involved” in this transaction or any other transaction whatsoever with BOST.
If I may stress, I have NEVER had any interaction with any of the two companies involved or any personalities connected with these two companies.
I have no business in the petroleum sector, either upstream or downstream, and have no commercial interest with BOST, Movenpiina Energy or Zupoil.
I am fully aware that this fabrication is not about me. It is said that “when the debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the loser”. This is, yet, another example of the NDC trying to tarnish the image of my father, the President of the Republic. They have, since 2008, tried without success, and one would have hoped that they would have learnt their lessons by sticking to the facts and telling the truth, rather than propagating falsehoods.
I demand an unconditional and immediate retraction of story, and I hope this brings full clarity on this matter as far as the “rumours” involving my name is concerned.
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(Via: CitiFM Online Ghana)