GPHA board chair Mac Manu refutes workers’ allegations

The Board Chairman of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), Peter Mac Manu, has denied allegations by workers of the company that he has engaged in acts that amount to conflict of interest and bad corporate governance.

The workers accused the board chair of awarding contracts to his wife and children since assuming office. They had, consequently, given the President, Nana Akufo-Addo, two weeks to remove Mr Mac Manu from office.

The workers had claimed Mr. Mac Manu has completely taken over ticketing of staff travels through his wife, among other allegations.

But addressing the press on Tuesday, May 29, in Accra, Mr. Mac Manu debunked the allegations describing them as “ false and bogus and have no merit”.

He indicated that the services of his wife had already been contracted by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, long before he was appointed the board chair.

“Let me put on record that my wife’s travels and tour company, Special T Travel, first secured a contract to issue tickets for GPHA staff travel in 2005.”

He explained that the contract was abrogated in 2009 by the NDC but was re-engaged by the Authority in March 2017 when he was not sworn as board chairman yet.

He argues making a full disclosure of his wife’s company dealings with the Authority before assuming office.

So, there cannot be any case of conflict of interest, he indicated.

The 2016 Campaign Manager of Mr Akufo-Addo also dispelled the allegation that he forced the Authority to be shortchanged in a concession by forcing management to accept a near $200,000 LNG terminal project.

He explained that the project was in the interest of the nation, adding the board only directed management to expedite action on the concession because it was critical in nature yet promised higher returns.

Mr. Mac-Manu believes the Authority under his chairmanship should be commended for pushing for projects that bring value to the country.

‘Personal attack’

He again refuted claims by the workers that his sons are the biggest suppliers to GPHA, emphasizing “my children are working in the banks”.

With respect to an allegation that he awarded a $4m contract for a wiring service at the company’s newly constructed electrical and materials block, Mr Mac Manu argued that the said contract is yet to be approved by the Public Procurement Authority.

He believes the press conference held at Takoradi in which the allegations were made “was a direct personal attack” on him as he suspects some people have a personal score to settle with him “to accuse me falsely and paint the NPP government as corrupt”.