The whopping NPA monthly rent of $63,000

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moses asaga

Moses Asaga, NPA Boss

The whopping monthly rent of $63,000 the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) expends on office accommodation at East Legon is a fresh chapter on fiscal indiscipline afflicting the public sector across the country.

Instructively, the subject made the headlines at a time when the plush multi-dollar NDC headquarters building at Adabraka, Accra, has been branded in the party colours and logo ready for occupation. The party fought tooth and nail to distance itself from the ownership of the state-of-the-art edifice. That no longer holds.

When the profligate rent story made the headlines last week, it sounded too outrageous to be digested without public opposition. Eventually, when a press release of sorts emanated from the Energy Ministry to control the extent of damage it had caused, it failed to fly, prompting more derision. Many wondered why those behind the release expected Ghanaians to calm down their nerves.

It is important observation that in spite of the public outcry and the call by a broad spectrum of civil society organisations for government to be disciplined in the management of fiscal matters, those in charge have palpably turned their back on such pleas ? the GNPC rent being an appropriate case in point.

The Ministry did not deny the story but subtly expressed a measured opprobrium at the development. The major PR stunt about how the President is not in favour of such profligacy was prominent in the press release. The content of the release suggested that it could have emanated from the Flagstaff House.

The source of the release notwithstanding, it does not mitigate the pain suffered by Ghanaians upon hearing the profligacy surrounding the operations of GNPC at a time when the ledger of the country remains irreconcilable.

If decisive actions are not taken against such wanton disregard for procedures and indeed common sense management of state resources, we could be driving our country to the dogs.

Such irresponsibility by persons entrusted with public institutions to run must not be countenanced under any circumstances whatsoever.

It would be interesting to know who the lucky landlord is and the frequency of payment of the rent. It is likely that a five-year advance payment has gone already. As for the possible commission, we are not in a position to determine it at a time when details of the transaction will be protected so prying eyes cannot find them.

When the history of corporate entities in Ghana comes to be written, GNPC might surpass all others in terms of profligacy.

Nothing will happen beyond the press release; no heads will roll and it will be ?business as usual? ? a feature of the times.

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