The Ghana National Petroleum Company (GNPC) has said that it is looking into allegations that it received payments allegedly made by a marketing agency, E-Volution International, to secure a GH¢1 million contract during the 2014 World Cup.
This contract was for E-Volution to set up four fan parks in Accra, Kumasi and Takoradi to show the matches during the tournament in Brazil.
A report by Accra-based Joy FM alleged that the GNPC had received an amount of GH¢80,000 sent from the agency’s account.
[contextly_sidebar id=”RlQdEbeJGr4EFdSvghRcehdqMAvjaaoS”]GNPC has also asked the public “not to rush to judge. Like all citizens, our members of staff have a constitutional right to due process and to be treated as innocent until proven otherwise.”
The statement, signed by the Chief Executive of the GNPC, Alex Mould, said: “The Corporation takes a serious view of these allegations. We hold ourselves to the highest standards of public accountability. And we value and will continue to work for the public trust. We have accordingly instituted an inquiry into the matter. “
The story also claimed that the former Sports Minister, Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah had also received kickbacks from E-Volution.
Mr. Afriyie Ankrah has since denied those claims in a statement copied to Citi FM on Tuesday.
“I categorically deny knowledge of and/or involvement in any such deal. I have been made aware of a document purported to be the payment voucher that has my name as well as Fred Darko and a staff of GNPC,” the statement said.
Attempts have since been made to reach Fred Darko, the boss of E-volution and the project coordinator for the 2014 World Cup, for a response to the allegations.
Those attempts have so far been unsuccessful but his lawyer, Alex Abban, responded in an SMS, saying: “The reports are false. We will respond in detail soon.”
By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana