PIAC new members sworn-in, as Prof Adom-Frimpong tip to be Chairman

Adnan Adams Mohammed

The Minister of Energy last week sworn-in four new members of the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC), an independent statutory body mandated to promote transparency and accountability in the management of petroleum revenues in the country.

The four new members (institutional representation) replaced some old members who had their tenure as members of the Committee elapsed. The four new members are; Professor Adom-Frimpong representing Institute of Chartered Accountants Ghana – ICAG, Lawyer Nasir Alfa Mohammed representing Ghana Bar Association – GBA, Mr Osei Kwadwo Addo representing Ghana Journalists Association – GJA and Mr Bashir Mohammed Abdul-Razak representing Ghana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative – GHEITI.

The old members whose tenure are not yet over include Prof. Albert Fiadjoe, Member, representing Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS); Alhaji Alhassan Abdulai, Member, representing Muslim Groups; and Mr Noble Wadzah, Member, representing Civil Society & Community-Based Organisations.

The rest are: Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, Member, representing National House of Chiefs; Rev. Dr. Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong, Member, representing Christian Groups; Nana Agyenim Boateng, Member, representing Association of Ghana Industries and Ghana Chamber of Commerce; Kansawurche Hajia Bukari, Member, representing Queenmothers Association; Mrs. Mary Karimu, Member, representing Trades Union Congress (TUC); Prof. Akosua Keseboa Darkwah, Member, representing Independent Policy Think Tanks.

As it is now, the Committee has no chairman and vice chairman as the previous ones being Dr Steve Manteaw, former chairman, representing Ghana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GHEITI) and Dr Thomas Kojo Stephens, former Vice Chairman, representing Ghana Bar Association (GBA) have all retired. There is, therefore, a need for the new Committee to elect a new chairman and vice-chairman and the sub-committees as well as.

Information gathered indicates that, the newly constituted Committee is likely to have their first meeting somewhere next week between 20^thto 24^th January, where the new chairman and vice-chairman will be elected.

Analysis of the members’ profile gives an insight that it is likely Professor Adom-Frimpong might be the new Chairman for his in-depth auditing, financial management and accounting knowledge and experience. The work of PIAC is more to do with his sector knowledge and therefore rightly fit to be the chairman.

However, there are two candidates being tipped for the vice chairman position, they are, Lawyer Nasir Alfa Mohammed and Mr Bashir Mohammed Abdul-Razak for their deep extractive industry legal, policy and regulation working knowledge. 

The mission of PIAC is to be committed to ensuring efficient, transparent and accountable management of petroleum revenues and investments to secure the greatest social and economic benefit for the people of Ghana through active engagement with government and citizens. This is to be accomplished by maintaining a balanced stance, exhibiting high integrity and remaining independent of sectional influences.

The statutory Accountability Committee has three main objects as outlined in the Petroleum Revenue Management Act. These are; to monitor and evaluate compliance with the Act by government and relevant institutions in the management and use of petroleum revenues and investments; to provide space and platform for the public to debate on whether spending prospects and management and use of revenues conform to development priorities as provided under section 21 (3); and to provide independent assessment on the management and use of petroleum revenues to assist parliament and the executive in the oversight and the performance of related functions.

Also, the Committee’s functions include; to consult widely on best practice related to the management and use of petroleum revenues; and determine the rules of procedure under which it will operate.