I’m willing to cooperate with OSP’s GH¢1.3bn UPPF probe – Mustapha Hamid speaks

• Posted on February 12, 2025February 12, 2025
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, has expressed his willingness to cooperate with the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) regarding an investigation into the alleged embezzlement of GH¢1.3 billion from the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund (UPPF).

His statement comes after Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng announced on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, that Abdul-Hamid and three others are under investigation for suspected financial mismanagement involving the petroleum fund.

The UPPF, a critical mechanism in Ghana’s petroleum sector, is designed to ensure uniform fuel pricing nationwide by covering transportation costs for oil marketing companies.

In response to the allegations, Abdul-Hamid took to social media to clarify that he had not received any official summons or invitation from the OSP but expressed his readiness to assist in any investigations.

“My attention has been drawn to an announcement by the Special Prosecutor that I am under investigation for alleged embezzlement of funds at the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund (UPPF) during my tenure as NPA CEO. As of this afternoon, I have not been invited by any state investigative body. However, I am willing to avail myself for any investigations into the alleged misappropriation,” he stated.

The OSP’s probe also targets Jacob Amoah, the UPPF Coordinator, and two NPA staff members, Wendy Ashong Newman and Freda Tandoh.

The allegations suggest significant funds may have been mismanaged during Abdul-Hamid’s tenure, raising concerns about financial accountability within the petroleum sector.