Former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), John Boadu, has raised concerns over the arrest and detention of Dr. Edwin Alfred Provencal, the former Managing Director of the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company Limited (BOST).
According to Mr. Boadu, Dr. Provencal was apprehended at Kotoka International Airport on Monday, November 10, 2025, while preparing to board a flight to Maputo for an official engagement.
He claimed that Dr. Provencal’s name had been placed on a flight watchlist since October 8, though the former BOST MD was reportedly unaware of it.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Boadu emphasized the need for lawful procedures, even as he affirmed the NPP’s support for accountability and the rule of law.
“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 arrest comes weeks after a forensic risk assessment by policy think tank IMANI Africa alleged that the Gold-for-Oil initiative was plagued by governance failures and fiscal losses. IMANI’s report, supported by oversight institutions, called for urgent prosecutions and recovery of what it described as misappropriated revenues.
The report highlighted weaknesses in pricing controls, preferential access, structural loopholes, and the absence of contracts between the Bank of Ghana and the Precious Minerals Marketing Company, which it said encouraged smuggling.
Dr. Provencal, however, has rejected claims of systemic fraud, insisting that the programme adhered to strict standards of transparency and corporate governance.
Mr. Boadu also stressed that allegations of financial misconduct against individuals should not be linked to the NPP.
“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,” he noted. “Maybe they financed their constituencies or a candidate, but not the day-to-day running of the party.”
He further raised concerns about the freezing of suspects’ accounts during investigations, warning that such measures could hinder access to legal representation.
“Once you are arrested, you will require legal services, which are not free but come at a cost. So if your account is frozen, how do you get access to funds for that?” he asked.
John Boadu called on the authorities to ensure transparency and fairness in handling the case, emphasizing that proper procedures are essential to maintain public confidence in the justice system.
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