The Chief Executive Officer of Ghana’s National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Godwin Edudzi Tameklo, has thrown his weight behind calls for a full-scale investigation into the contentious sale of 18 tonnes of gold from the nation’s reserves. His remarks came in response to legal expert Kofi Bentil’s demand for transparency, stressing that such a probe would provide clarity and finally settle the matter.
Bentil, a private legal practitioner, sparked debate when he described the gold sale as a “reckless decision,” warning that it could saddle Ghana with losses exceeding $1 billion due to the need to repurchase the gold at inflated prices. Speaking on TV3 Ghana’s The Key Points program, Bentil questioned the rationale behind the move and insisted that those responsible must be held to account.
Bentil highlighted that the sale of the gold—amounting to 18 tonnes—occurred in a matter of weeks, raising concerns about the decision-making process behind it. He stressed that Ghana, as a developing country, could ill afford such a loss, which could reach over $1 billion when factoring in the repurchase costs. “What government would allow someone to make a decision that costs the nation a billion dollars and not take any action?” Bentil asked. He further speculated that if the gold was not actually sold but merely part of a paper transaction, it would raise even more troubling questions about the integrity of the deal.
Bentil underscored that the matter demanded rigorous scrutiny not only from the opposition but also from the wider public. He pressed for transparency in the decision-making process, asking pointedly: “Who authorized the sale, and why wasn’t there a more strategic plan in place?”
In response, Edudzi Tameklo backed the call for an inquiry, stressing that such a probe would clarify the facts and ensure all issues are properly addressed. Tameklo, himself a lawyer, noted that an investigation would give those involved the chance to justify their actions, ultimately bringing closure to the controversy. “I am particularly pleased that Kofi Bentil has suggested an inquiry. Why not? If it is possible, let’s investigate. It will put matters in proper perspective and, in the end, we’ll arrive at the truth,” he remarked.
Source: Richard Obeng Bediako
