Workers of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) have apologised for accusing the company’s Board Chair, Peter Mac Manu, of corruption.
At a press conference held on Friday, the workers said new information available to them had compelled them to reconsider their accusations.
The Tema branch Chairman of the Authority’s Senior Staff Union, John Aseeph said: “some facts have come to our notice, and in hindsight, we should not have gone into the public domain against Mr. Peter Mac Manu and his family at our press conference.”
“We, therefore, withdraw the allegations against Mr. Peter Mac Manu, in particular, his wife and sons, and unreservedly apologise to them.”
We are sorry for the embarrassment and the inconvenience our press conference might have caused Mr. Peter Mac Manu and members of his family.”
That said, Mr. Aseeph said the Union will not “shirk its responsibility as watchdogs of accountability in the governance of public institutions.”
The Union had earlier alleged that Mr. Mac Manu had been running a family and friends’ administration since he became Board Chair.
Chairman of the Union, Joseph Assib accused Mr. Mac Manu of conflict of interest and issued a two-week ultimatum to the government to relieve Mr. Mac Manu of his position.
He said Mr. Mac Manu had registered some seven companies and awarded contracts to same, without seeking the Board’s approval.
Mr. Mac Manu, in turn, threatened to sue the Workers’ Union over the allegations of misconduct.
In a letter dated May 30, Mr. Mac Manu’s lawyer’s described the union’s allegations as “highly defamatory and toxic.”
He had given the Union 10 days to retract and apologise for the allegations of corruption.
Amidst the exchanges between the two parties, President Nana Akufo-Addo sacked the acting Director General of the GPHA, Paul Asare Ansah.
The government, however, did not give any reason for his removal.
–
By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citinewsroom.com/Ghana