The New Free Press is requesting as a matter of urgency the President of the Republic of Ghana his Excellency, John Dramani Mahama to explain to Ghanaians the deposit of 55 million Dollars in an offshore account in a bank based in Trinidad and Tobago called the Republic Bank. He should also explain to Ghanaians his interest in an oil refinery, at Pointe a Pierre, San Fernando, 20 miles outside the capital Port of Spain .

The New Free Press speaking to officials at the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, an official of Unibank at their Kokomemele head office and some senior officials of the ministry of finance on condition of anonymity established that President Mahama while as Vice President to the late President Professor JEA Mills transferred through UNIBANK an amount of 55 million dollars to the Republic Bank in Trinidad and Tobago between August 2010 and December,2010 in 5 batches.

It came to light that an oil refinery, run by the Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago limited based at pointe a pierre, San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago was put up for sale by the Trinidad and Tobago government in May 2010 and that John Mahama bought a 40% share amounting to 55 million dollars. It would also be recalled that the late President Mills visited Trinidad and Tobago to explore their oil and gas industries and how Ghana could benefit.

The question we are asking is was this investment made on behalf of the people of Ghana or it was made on behalf of someone else and if so who?

We also would like to know why Parliament was not aware of this transaction. Can huge sums of money leave the shores of Ghana without Parliament knowing? If so then what is the use of parliament and its finance committee?

With the Tema Oil Refinery currently struggling, We at the New Free Press are struggling to come to terms with our previous Vice President and now President using financial houses to transfer huge sums of money to invest in foreign refineries aboard.

We call on Parliament to investigate this treacherous act and for the Mr John Mahama to come clean on his activities and involvement with the Republic Bank and the Oil Refinery in Trinidad and Tobago. The Presidency of Ghana cannot be brought into disrepute.

Ghanaian Politicians cannot continue treat Ghana like this!

Suraju Musah Mohammed

Managing Editor, The New Free Press Kotobabi Abavana Down Accra