The Concerned Youth of Nzema Manle have issued a fervent plea to President John Dramani Mahama to appoint a qualified native of the Nzema area as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana National Gas Company (GNGC), headquartered in Atuabo. The group argues that this appointment is not merely a matter of regional representation, but a crucial step towards rectifying perceived injustices, ensuring effective leadership, and upholding the spirit of the 1992 Constitution, which mandates regional balance in public appointments. They express deep concern and frustration over recent developments at Ghana Gas, particularly the resignation of the former CEO and the subsequent appointment of a caretaker CEO, whom they accuse of maneuvering to secure the position permanently despite what they view as a concerning track record.
The group’s statement alleges a pattern of neglect and manipulation surrounding the CEO appointment process. They claim the acting CEO, formerly the Director of Operations, oversaw a period of significant deterioration of key assets, including four generator sets at the Atuabo site. Despite this, they accuse him of employing “Machiavellian tactics” to secure the permanent CEO role, including manipulating public opinion, leveraging media outlets for favorable coverage, and spreading misleading narratives about his supposed acceptance by Ghana Gas staff. They also allege that the acting CEO and his supporters have resorted to fear-mongering, claiming that national energy security is at risk unless an internal engineer is appointed, a claim the group dismisses as baseless and dangerous.
The youth group contends that appointing a local CEO is not only a matter of fairness but also of economic prudence and effective resource management. They argue that a native leader would possess a deeper understanding of the region’s unique challenges and opportunities, promoting more equitable development and ensuring that the benefits of the gas industry are shared with the local communities. They highlight the significant contributions of the Western Region to the national economy, particularly in the energy sector, and lament the declining employment opportunities for indigenous people within Ghana Gas. They allege that even minor jobs are now being outsourced to individuals from outside the region, while local communities are increasingly marginalized from the company’s operations.
Furthermore, the Concerned Youth of Nzema Manle express their disappointment with what they perceive as broken promises and a disregard for the sacrifices made by the people of the Western Region. They recall how the local communities willingly provided land for the gas project without prior compensation, expecting that the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives would spur local development. Instead, they accuse Ghana Gas of reneging on its commitments, diverting development projects to other regions while neglecting the very communities that facilitated the company’s establishment. This perceived injustice, they argue, fuels their demand for a local CEO who will prioritize the well-being of the region and ensure a more equitable distribution of resources.
The group’s appeal to President Mahama is rooted in the belief that appointing a native CEO is not simply a matter of fulfilling a constitutional mandate, but a critical step towards restoring trust, promoting regional development, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Ghana National Gas Company. They argue that a local leader, intimately familiar with the region’s challenges and opportunities, would be better equipped to navigate the complex social and economic landscape, fostering collaboration between the company and the local communities, and ensuring that the benefits of the gas industry are shared equitably. They emphasize that their call is not based on parochialism, but on a desire to see the region receive its fair share of national resources and development opportunities.
In conclusion, the Concerned Youth of Nzema Manle’s appeal to President Mahama underscores a broader issue of regional representation and resource allocation in Ghana. Their concerns extend beyond the immediate appointment of a CEO, highlighting deeper anxieties about equitable development, corporate social responsibility, and the relationship between national industries and the communities they impact. Their call for a local leader is a plea for recognition, for a fairer share of the national pie, and for a more inclusive approach to development that prioritizes the well-being of the communities that contribute so significantly to the nation’s prosperity. They urge the President to heed their call, not only as a matter of fairness and constitutional compliance, but as a strategic move towards fostering stability, promoting sustainable development, and strengthening the social fabric of the nation.
