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Claim: Viral social media claims say President John Mahama has appointed popular journalist Randy Abbey as the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) acting Chief Executive Officer.
Verdict: False. DUBAWA’s investigations showed that Mr Abbey, the former host of Accra-based Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana show, was not appointed as the GNPC boss. Instead, Edward Abambire Bawa, a former Ghanaian lawmaker, has been appointed the acting GNPC Chief Executive Officer.
Full Text
Multiple reports claimed President John Mahama has appointed Randy Abbey, the Chairperson of the Ghana Black Stars Management Committee, as the acting chief executive officer of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC).
See some of the reports here, here, here, here, here, and here.
Writing on social media about the subject, X user @elephantnewsgh said,
“President Mahama appoints Dr Randy Abbey as CEO of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC).”
Another X user, @charllycolegh, wrote:
“This is a newly constructed ultra-modern GNPC headquarters in Takoradi by the Akufo-Addo Bawumia government and Randy Abbey who was constantly attacking them has been appointed the new CEO. How do you feel now, sir? Posterity will serve everyone at the right time.”
An X user @GhanaPoliticalU quizzed, “So Randy Abbey would be serving at Nana Addo’s newly built GNPC headquarters at Takoradi?”
The social media data showed that the X posts received over 130,000 combined views, 23,000 reposts, and 30,000 likes.
DUBAWA decided to probe the claim due to its virality on social media in West Africa.
Verification
DUBAWA’s investigations showed that Mr Abbey, the former host of Accra-based Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana show, was not appointed as the GNPC boss.
Instead, Edward Abambire Bawa, a former Ghanaian lawmaker, has been appointed the acting GNPC Chief Executive Officer.
A statement signed by Mr Mahama’s Secretary, Callistus Mahama, on Jan. 17, 2025, conveyed the news to Mr Bawa, a former Member of Parliament.
“[The President] has appointed you as the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation pending receipt of the required advice of the Honourable Minister for Energy, in consultation with the Public Services Commission,” the letter read.
See news reports on Mr Bawa’s appointment here, here, here, here, and here.
Also, the findings of DUBAWA’s Google Keyword search showed no credible media outlet in Ghana has reported about Mr Abbey’s alleged appointment.
Mr Abbey stepped down as the Managing Director of Ignite Media Group (IMG) on Dec. 31, 2024, nearly three weeks after Mr Mahama’s popular re-election.
His resignation has fuelled speculations of a possible political appointment in the current regime.
However, it is unclear if Mr Abbey would accept an appointment in Mr Mahama’s government and the agency or ministry he may be selected to head.
Conclusion
Randy Abbey, the ex-host of Accra-based Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana show, is not the new GNPC boss as alleged on social media.
