Vetting of KT Hammond: Minority revives Drill Ship saga

There is grave concern from the Majority leadership in Parliament that the Trade and Industry Minister-designate, KT Hammond, may not be passed by Parliament’s Appointment Committee.

Both the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensa-Bonsu and his Deputy, Alex Afenyo-Markin on Monday sounded the alarm and attempted to get Parliament’s Appointments Committee to resolve what they believe to be a key constitutional matter.

The controversy revolves around KT Hammond’s involvement in the controversial sale of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) drill ship as Deputy Energy Minister under the erstwhile Kufuor administration. A commission of inquiry had questioned how Mr. Hammond disbursed some $900,000 after he sold the drill ship.

The question was put to him by the Minority Chief Whip, Kwame Agbodza when Mr. Hammond appeared before the Appointments Committee.

“KT Hammond’s disbursement of $900,000 to the law firm, Constant and Constant to cater for future debts of GNPC to other operations. Were you queried as to whether the $900,000, which mandate you had to expend that money?” Mr Agbodza asked.

But in response, Mr Hammond replied in the negative. “No, I was not queried about that. Mr Chairman, you see, you guys should be a little careful. “Mr Chairman, when a report like this is presented to the government, the government comments on the back of the report, and not to make its own findings. That part over there was an addition by the government which have no reflection in the report presented by Mr. Justice Appau. Actually, it is really unfair,” he added.

There was a heated argument after this response because Mr Hammond accused Mr. Agbodza of reading from a paper and not the document presented. Mr Agbodza then asked which company purchased the drill ship. “And do you have any relationship with the company that bought the real estate?” Mr Hammond replied in the negative.

Source: insidergh.com