Ex-Board Member of Ghana’s Petroleum Authority Defends Colleague Over Bribery Allegations 

Ben Owusu

Source: Joseph Cobbina

A former Board Member of Ghana’s National Petroleum Authority (NPA) Fuseini Iddrisu, has strongly defended his former colleague Ben Owusu against bribery and abuse of office allegations. 

 

Mr. Iddrisu described the accusations against Mr. Owusu as “utterly false, malicious, and politically motivated.”

 

According to a petition cited in media reports, Mr. Owusu, who once chaired the Technical and Licensing Sub-Committee of the NPA Board, was accused of soliciting bribes ranging from GHC 500,000 to GHC 600,000 in exchange for the approval of licenses.

 

However, Mr. Iddrisu maintains that there is no verifiable evidence to support these claims.

 

“There is no credible documentation, no audio or visual proof, and no sworn affidavit that substantiates the claim,” he asserted.

 

“This is clearly an attempt to smear a man whose integrity has remained intact throughout his career.”

 

Mr. Iddrisu said that the technical subcommittee, chaired by Mr. Owusu, worked within strict guidelines and collective decision-making protocols.

 

“No individual had the authority to unilaterally approve or deny licenses,” he said, describing the petition as lacking in credibility and rooted in ulterior motives.

 

According to him, the so-called petitioner failed to provide any verifiable evidence to back the wild claims and that there is no credible documentation, no audio or visual proof, and no sworn affidavit that substantiates the claim that Mr. Owusu demanded or received bribes ranging from GHC 500,000 to GHC 600,000.

 

“Such figures, casually thrown into public discourse without evidence, can only be seen as an attempt to smear.

 

Ghana is a nation governed by the rule of law. It is unjust and improper for individuals or interest groups to peddle unverified allegations in the media with the sole aim of tarnishing reputations before investigations are even commenced. If there is any genuine evidence of wrongdoing, the appropriate forum is a competent investigative or judicial body—not trial by media.”

 

Fuseini Iddrisu noted that as Chair of the Technical and Licensing Sub-Committee, Mr. Owusu worked collaboratively and transparently with other members of the Board and Management of the NPA.

 

He pointed out that, Licensing decisions were not made unilaterally. Every application underwent rigorous scrutiny and followed due process, with a clear chain of documentation and accountability. No single individual had the authority to approve or deny licenses in isolation.

 

“It is also important to clarify that applications from companies like Newgas Bottling Plant are assessed based on a range of regulatory criteria, including but not limited to safety compliance, financial capability, technical qualifications, and environmental considerations. Any application that failed to meet these standards would rightly be declined, not because of a refusal to pay any supposed bribe, but because of objective regulatory deficiencies,” he said, averring that “The timing and tone of the petition suggest a deeper political or commercial agenda aimed at undermining past leadership within the NPA and possibly derailing regulatory decisions that did not favour certain interest groups.”

 

“While I would not stand in the way of any genuine investigation by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) or any legally mandated body, I also demand that such processes be rooted in truth, evidence, and fairness. Mr. Ben Owusu stands ready to cooperate with any legitimate inquiry, and he is confident that his conduct while serving the NPA will withstand any scrutiny,” he appealed.

 

He mentioned unequivocally that the said report, which alleges that Mr. Ben Owusu—former board member and Chair of the Technical and Licensing Sub-Committee of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA)—engaged in bribery and abuse of office, is utterly false, malicious, and politically motivated.

 

 

The claims being circulated, he indicated, are not only factually inaccurate but appear to be part of a calculated attempt to impugn the character and hard-earned reputation of Mr. Owusu by some elements who do not want him to be on the NPA board for the second time.

 

He urged that the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) or any legally mandated body, involved in such processes be rooted in truth, evidence, and fairness and that Mr. Ben Owusu stands ready to cooperate with any legitimate inquiry since his conduct while serving the NPA will withstand any scrutiny.