In a move that has raised eyebrows, President John Mahama has appointed Reindorf Twumasi Ankrah, a lawyer with ties to Ibrahim Mahama, the President’s brother, as the Acting CEO of the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC).
Twumasi Ankrah, a partner at Morrison, Twumasi & Partners, has been instrumental in providing legal services to Ibrahim Mahama’s business interests.
This appointment has sparked concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the concentration of power within the Mahama family’s business network.
GIADEC, established in 2018, is responsible for developing and promoting Ghana’s Integrated Aluminium Industry (IAI).
The corporation plays a crucial role in managing the government’s investments in the aluminum sector, including its shares in the Volta Aluminium Company Limited (VALCO) and the Ghana Bauxite Company Limited (GBC).
As Acting CEO, Ankrah will be responsible for leading GIADEC’s efforts to drive growth and development in Ghana’s aluminum sector.
However, his appointment has raised questions about the potential for favoritism and the blurring of lines between the Mahama family’s business interests and the government’s role in promoting the aluminum industry.
It is worth noting that Ibrahim Mahama was granted a bauxite concession in 2016, a move that was widely criticized by opposition parties and civil society groups.
Twumasi Ankrah’s appointment has reignited concerns about the Mahama family’s influence over the aluminum industry and the potential for undue advantage.
-BY Issah Olegor
