By Issah Olegor
The arrest of Dr. Edwin Alfred Provencal, former Managing Director of the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company Limited (BOST), at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) has sparked widespread public debate, with former NPP General Secretary, John Boadu, demanding transparency and adherence to due process in the ongoing investigation.
According to confirmed reports, Provencal was apprehended on Monday, November 10, 2025, while preparing to board a flight to Maputo, Mozambique, for an official engagement.
The arrest was allegedly initiated by the Economic and Organised Crime Office, EOCO. However the motive for his arrest was not indicated.
Sources close to the situation indicate that the former BOST boss was unaware that his name had been placed on the stop list since October 8, 2025.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem morning show, John Boadu criticized the circumstances surrounding the arrest, warning that while the New Patriotic Party (NPP) fully supports accountability and the rule of law, it also insists that constitutional and procedural fairness be observed.
“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,” Boadu stated.
Background
Dr. Provencal’s arrest comes in the wake of growing controversy surrounding the government’s Gold-for-Oil policy — a flagship initiative introduced to stabilize the cedi and reduce fuel import costs by exchanging gold for petroleum products.
In October, a forensic risk assessment released by policy think tank IMANI Africa alleged that the programme suffered from significant governance lapses and fiscal losses.
The report claimed that weak pricing controls, opaque procurement processes, and the absence of formal contractual agreements between the Bank of Ghana and the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC) had created loopholes that encouraged smuggling and revenue leakages.
IMANI’s report further called for urgent prosecutions and recovery of alleged misappropriated funds, citing the need to restore transparency and public trust in the management of national resources.
Provencal’s Response
Provencal has strongly denied allegations of wrongdoing during his tenure at BOST.
He has consistently maintained that all operational and financial decisions made under his leadership followed due corporate governance procedures and were fully aligned with government directives.
According to sources within his legal team, Provencal views his arrest as “unnecessary and politically motivated,” arguing that he has always made himself available for questioning and has not attempted to evade investigations.
Political Reactions And Concerns
John Boadu, while distancing the NPP from any alleged financial impropriety, emphasized that individuals accused of corruption act on their own and not on behalf of the 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,” Boadu remarked.
“Maybe they financed their constituencies or a candidate, but not the day-to-day running of the party.”
He also raised practical concerns about the freezing of suspects’ accounts during investigations, warning that such measures could violate their right to a fair defense.
“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 questioned.
Call for Fairness
John Boadu concluded by urging state authorities to handle the case with fairness, transparency, and respect for the rule of law, stressing that how the matter is managed will determine public confidence in the justice system.
The security agencies have yet to issue an official statement on the specific charges leading to Dr. Provencal’s arrest, but sources suggest that it may be linked to ongoing investigations into alleged financial mismanagement in the Gold-for-Oil programme.
