The government has finally confirmed the termination of appointment of Dr Yaw Akoto as Chief Executive Officer of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR).

Energy Minister, Albert Kan Dapaah made this known when he met workers of the Refinery at Tema in the Greater Accra Region. Dr Akoto who was engaged on a 5-year contract has been given options of either becoming a National Director of Petroleum or Consultant to TOR. A five-member management committee has been set up to steer the affairs of the refinery in his place.

The workers in their usual solidarity mood, refused to talk to the press. Dr Yaw Akoto confirmed the termination of his appointment but refused to say whether he will take either of the two options. Dr. Akoto who was domiciled in the United States of America was appointed Chief Executive of the Refinery in the year 2000 by the NDC administration

Minority Condemn Dismissal

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) caucus in Parliament has described the termination of Dr Akoto?s contract with the Tema Oil Refinery as a continuation of government?s arbitrary removal of all people appointed during the previous administration. Minority Spokesperson, John Mahama told JOY FM that government?s failure to provide reasons for its action shows that it had no good intensions.

Dr Akoto?s five-year contract with the refinery was terminated with about three more years to go. He has been re-assigned to the Energy Ministry as Director of Petroleum but sources say he will not accept it.

The minority says government ought to explain its action since it has not evaluated the performance of Dr Akoto under the terms of his contract. The group added that the appointment of an Interim Management Committee instead of a Substantive Chief Executive makes government?s latest action even more suspicious.