The acting CEO of Ghana Shippers’ Authority, Prof Ransford Gyampo, has fired back at Okatakyie Afrifa-Mensah, a media personality and social activist, who accused him of travelling in business class at the expense of the taxpayer.
According to Prof Gyampo, he has never travelled in First Class or Business class.
He boldly stated that he remains the only CEO in Ghana who travels on an economy ticket.
In a statement issued, Prof Gyampo stated, “Part of my work requires that I travel and out of the over 38 opportunities, I have only honoured 4 and these were with the expressed approval and permission from the Chief of Staff. Anyone can check for the evidence.
I have never travelled in First Class or Business class. I remain the only CEO in Ghana who travels on an ECONOMY TICKET. Again, the evidence of my boarding passes for all four trips is there”.
He further revealed his lawyers will deal with individuals behind baseless allegations against him.
“My Lawyers and other lawyers I don’t even know have taken over the matter and would deal with the individuals behind the baseless allegations this week”, he added.
His comments come following Okatakyie Afrifa-Mensah’s accusation that Prof Gyampo is directly doing the opposite of what the President John Mahama said by travelling in business class at the expense of the taxpayer.
Speaking on his show, Okatakyie stated, “Is it true that Prof Gyampo, within the law few months after he was appointed, has made about five trips to the United States, all in the name of going to conferences? And is it true that Prof Gyampo is taking per diem without the conference even coming on? We are watching quietly as our informants are doing some analysis.
Beyond the fact that Prof Gyampo is travelling anyhow, he is travelling in business class at the expense of the taxpayer. Next week, we will make all the documents available. Is it true that some of the travel you are making is non-essential travel being done because of the per diem?”.
See his full statement below:
RESPONDING TO BASELESS ALLEGATIONS AGAINST ME
- My attention has been drawn to some allegations made against me on some radio stations and on social media. I wish to thank all my admirers for calling on me to ignore and not to respond.
But unfortunately, lies become truth in the psyche of many people in Ghana when they aren’t corrected and so, I plead that I am allowed to respond, not to the grand scheme against me because of my vociferousness against bad governance in the previous regime, but merely as a way to set the records straight.
- I have not recruited 28 women and two men as being alleged. I am not in charge of recruitment at my workplace. Recruitment over the years, I am told, has been done professionally by a private outsourced agency that follows a rigorous selection process.
- Part of my work require that I travel and out of the over 38 opportunities, I have only honored 4 and these were with the expressed approval and permission from the Chief of Staff. Anyone can check for the evidence.
- I have never travelled in First Class or Business class. I remain the only CEO in Ghana who travels on an ECONOMY TICKET. Again, the evidence of my boarding passes for all four trips are there
- My Lawyers and other lawyers I don’t even know have taken over the matter and would deal with the individuals behind the baseless allegations this week.
- I assure all that I know the public confidence in me and I won’t do anything to betray the trust reposed in me. All must also be assured that baseless allegations have never been enough to silent me. I would remain myself and would always speak my mind on every national issues while focusing on my core job of championing the interests of shippers forcefully and proactively.Thanks to all.
Ransford Gyampo
