Accra, Nov. 17, GNA - A youth activist of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Tuesday gave the minority in Parliament a 48-hour ultimatum to substantiate claims that government had packed the oil industry with its cronies.

Mr Mubarak Abdulai who gave the ultimatum said the New Patriotic Party (NPP) must back allegations that the NDC had appointed favourites to take over the import and distribution segment of the industry with facts or apologise to the people of Ghana.

"Within 48 hours the opposition New Patriotic Party, which led international oil companies to discover oil in the country must give details to authenticate its accusation of harassment and disregard of the human rights of Ghanaians," Mr Mubarak Abdulai stressed.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Accra he said: "The minority in Parliament must stand up to the legislative oath which they swore and provide Ghanaians with facts to support their allegations of unfair and inhumane manner in which a leading Ghanaian partner with KOSMOS, Mr. George Owusu, was treated," he said.

Mr Abdulai advised the minority to provide constructive opposition to government and move away from the mediocre politicking of peddling falsehood to tarnish the image of the ruling party.

The NDC Youth Activist noted that the minority must behave as a responsible opposition and eat its humble pie and apologise to Ghanaians since the government and Mr Owusu have refuted the allegation with evidence. He also called on the Privileges Committee of Parliament to investigate the conduct of the Minority in spreading falsehood as it has the potential of denting the image of the august house.

He said Ghanaians rejected NPP's politics of manipulation and voted for social-democracy.

Mr Abdulai told the NPP that "as the nation is developing democratically, peddling of falsehood to discredit government or political opponents should be frowned upon by all right thinking Ghanaians".

He called on party faithful to remain vigilant and scrutinise all pronouncements of the opposition party "as the NPP especially is out to discredit the government to score cheap political points".

"The NPP has started sowing seeds of misinformation among the electorates to prepare the ground for attacking the NDC during Election 2012.We must not sit down, let's confront and expose the lies; let's engage in proactive politicking to ensure that we retain power," Mr Mubarak Abdulai stated.

The Minority last Thursday at a press conference alleged that security operatives had harassed, and undressed a leading Ghanaian partner in KOSMOS, Mr. Owusu in front of his family.

Mr. Kwame Amporfo Twumasi, Member of Parliament for Nkoranza South and Deputy Ranking Member, who made the allegation registered their displeasure on some issues in President John Evans Atta Mills administration.

The Minority also accused the government of favouring NDC oil companies hurriedly formed to cash in on the importation of petroleum products at the peril of Ghanaians who were suffering as a result of high prices of petroleum products.

They identified some of the companies as Manitwoc, Scan Oil, Forrestor, Crest Grade International, Kempac, PetroGhana, Crush Oil Smk Energy, Mafci and Joint Development.

The NPP said most of the companies had no track record in the petroleum business.

Dr. Kwabena Donkor, Deputy Minister of Energy last Friday debunked the allegations, saying that since the NDC came to power, only two oil marketing companies OMCs) and one Oil Trading Company had been licensed. He said when the previous NDC government left office in 2000, there were only eight OMCs, but as at December 31, 2008, the number had reached 47, meaning the NPP government licensed 39 OMCs in eight years.

"We have not raised questions about the phenomenal jump in the number of OMCs under the NPP, even though the increase accounts for complex challenges in the industry.

"It is therefore worrying that we will rather be accused of packing our cronies into the industry when in fact the evidence does not support those accusations."

Mr Owusu had also refuted the allegation of harassment and embarrassment by the police in front of his family, describing the action as civil and professional.