The Ministry of Energy has issued a strong rebuttal against allegations made by Kevin Taylor, which claimed that Energy Minister Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh and the NPP 2024 campaign would benefit from a $150 million contract involving Tullow Oil, Kosmos Energy, GNPC, and Petro SA.
The Ministry described these allegations as “spurious and unfounded,” emphasizing that Kevin Taylor, consistent with his previous discredited claims, failed to provide any concrete details regarding the alleged contract. The Ministry accuses Taylor of attempting to tarnish the reputations of individuals and the government without basis.
“The Ministry of Energy is not responsible for the signing and approval of contracts in Ghana’s upstream petroleum space and therefore matters of signing and approval of contracts involving Tullow and its Partners mentioned will certainly not require the approval of the Ministry. Just a little research could have avoided this embarrassment.”
Kofi Abrefa Afena, Communications Specialist/Press Aide to the Minister
The Ministry emphasized that the contracting process in the upstream sector involves rigorous technical and commercial assessments by the operator before recommendations are made to partners, who conduct their own independent evaluations. This process is not influenced by government policies aimed at increasing Ghanaian participation in the sector.
The Ministry further outlined the rigorous technical and commercial assessment process that upstream contracts undergo. These evaluations are conducted independently by the Operator and its Partners before any contract approval. This process remains beyond government control and was consistent during both the Mills/Mahama and Akufo-Addo administrations. The Ministry reiterated that it is inconceivable for the government to influence contract awards by private and international oil companies.
“A cursory evaluation by any objective mind, will certainly expose the total lack of substance in the claims by the said Kevin Taylor. It is nothing different from his proven modus operandi to always cause disaffection for government officials and the entire NPP government in satisfaction of his paymasters, more so, given the proximity to the 2024 elections.”
Kofi Abrefa Afena, Communications Specialist/Press Aide to the Minister
Misplaced Allegations of Collusion
In addressing the historical context, the Ministry questioned if Taylor was aware of any instances during previous administrations where the Minister responsible for Petroleum signed or approved significant contracts, such as those for the Jubilee and TEN Fields.
The Ministry emphasized that such contracts have never required ministerial approval, casting doubt on Taylor’s assertion that the current Energy Minister is involved in such practices.
Taylor’s claims that Dr. Prempeh and the NPP 2024 campaign would benefit from the contract are further discredited by the involvement of Mr. Yvon Asafu-Adjaye, who Taylor alleges is part of the deal.
The Ministry pointed out that Asafu-Adjaye has stronger ties to the NDC, as his father, Nana Asafu-Adjaye, served as the Managing Director of GNPC under the Mills/Mahama administration. This connection undermines the logic that Asafu-Adjaye would collude with the current Energy Minister for NPP’s benefit.
The Ministry assures that Dr. Prempeh’s legal team will take appropriate action to address the reputational damage caused by Taylor’s accusations. The Communications Specialist/Press Aide to the Minister, Kofi Abrefa Afena, concluded by urging the public to ignore these false claims and treat them with the contempt they deserve.
This response underscores the Ministry of Energy’s commitment to transparency and the factual correction of misinformation regarding its operations and the contractual processes in Ghana’s upstream petroleum sector.
READ ALSO: Ghana Edges Closer to Debt Relief as Bilateral Creditors Submit Final MoU
