Stop Shortchanging Nation- NPA Tells Public Officers

Stop Shortchanging Nation- NPA tells Public Officer

The Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, has charged public officials not to change the country for selfish gains.

According to him, Ghana offers more opportunities for education than developed countries in America and England.

He said the privilege was created by successive governments since Dr Kwame Nkrumah, and expressed concern that the pro-poor education policy experts are not thanking the country.

For example, Dr. Abdul-Hamid said many Ghanaians are benefiting from the Northern scholarship scheme, free primary education, free Senior High School programs now, tertiary education loans and scholarships from the GETFund and the Scholarship Secretariat to study abroad.

He said many of the beneficiaries refused to repay their loans, while others refused to return to Ghana after completing their sponsored studies.

He said that instead of praising Ghanaians for making them who they are, such people are more a nuisance to the country.

The NPA boss therefore called on Ghanaians not to destroy the country and devote themselves to its development.

Dr Abdul-Hamid made the call while opening the renovated conference room for the Bono Regional Coordination Council (BRCC) in Sunyani on Tuesday.

The conference room was renovated by NPA as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility at the request of BRCC.

The conference room, which is used for Regional Security Council Meetings, conferences and workshops, is in poor condition with damaged tables and chairs, broken glasses, and torn and torn curtains.

Using himself as an example, the NPA Boss said he would not be where he is today but for the educational opportunities he enjoys, such as the Northern Education Scholarship Scheme, and the low cost of tertiary education from First Degree to PhD.

He said that many youths in America and England cannot get tertiary education because it costs more than $100,000 to complete a First Degree.

Dr. Abdul-Hamid said that many people pursuing tertiary education in America and England are saddled with loans that they pay for the rest of their lives.

However, he said, the cost of higher education in Ghana is lower.
In addition, Dr Abdul-Hamid said people are being paid to pursue nursing and teaching courses.

“This country is a blessing. We have no choice as Ghanaians but to contribute whatever we can and the little we can in whatever corner we find for the progress of our country,” he said.

In his address, Bono Regional Minister, Justina Owusu Banahene, said the poor condition of the conference room forced the Council to hire a conference room to hold Regional Coordinating Council meetings and conferences.

That, he said, is a channel in the Council that has limited finances aside from the security threat it poses.

Ms. Banahene thanked the NPA, especially Dr. Abdul-Hamid for spearheading the renovation of the conference room at the time of the recording, and promised to maintain it for use now and in the future.

The NPA team includes Board Member, Ms Diana Mogre, and Director of Corporate Affairs, Maria Oquaye.

By Vincent Kubi

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