Dr Edwin Alfred Provencal is a former Managing Director of BOST
Former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), John Boadu, has raised concerns over the arrest of Dr Edwin Alfred Provencal, former Managing Director of the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company Limited (BOST), emphasising that due process must be observed.
Dr Provencal was reportedly arrested on Monday, November 10, 2025, at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) while preparing to travel to Maputo for an official engagement.
According to Boadu, Dr Provencal’s name had been on a flight watchlist since October 8, a development of which the former BOST boss was allegedly unaware.
In a report by adomonline.com on November 11, 2025, Boadu stated that while the NPP supports accountability and lawful prosecution, investigations must be conducted transparently and fairly.
“We in the NPP are not saying that when people are found culpable in a crime, they shouldn’t face the law, but due process must be followed,” he said.
The reported arrest follows a recent forensic risk assessment by policy think tank IMANI Africa, which alleged that the government’s Gold-for-Oil initiative suffered governance lapses, fiscal losses, and structural weaknesses.
The IMANI report called for prosecutions and the recovery of what it described as misappropriated revenues, citing issues including pricing control failures, preferential access, and the absence of contracts between the Bank of Ghana and the Precious Minerals Marketing Company, which allegedly encouraged smuggling.
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Dr Provencal has dismissed the allegations, insisting that the programme was executed transparently and adhered to corporate governance standards.
Boadu also cautioned against attempts to link accusations of financial misconduct to the NPP as a party.
“If someone is accused of stealing or embezzling funds, they did not bring it to the NPP or finance the party, so far as I am concerned. Maybe they financed their constituencies or a candidate, but not the day-to-day running of the party,” he said.
He further questioned the freezing of suspects’ bank accounts during investigations, arguing that such actions could impede access to legal representation.
“Once you are arrested, you will require legal services, which are not free. So, if your account is frozen, how do you get access to funds for that?” he asked.
Boadu urged authorities to handle the matter transparently, stressing that respecting due process is crucial for maintaining public confidence in the justice system.
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