The Ranking Member of Parliament’s Energy Committee, George Kwame Aboagye, has questioned the government’s priorities following its decision to spend GH¢300 million on purchasing sanitary pads.
Contributing to discussions on the floor of Parliament on the State of the Nation Address delivered by President John Mahama on February 27, the MP for Asene-Manso-Akroso criticised the government for engaging in what he called a procurement spree, arguing that the same amount could have been used to settle compensation for land earmarked for the Petroleum Hub project.
He accused the government of profligacy and stressed that investing in the Petroleum Hub would be far more worthwhile, as the project has the potential to establish local factories producing sanitary pads domestically.
George Kwame Aboagye contended that the government demonstrated a lack of commitment and policy incoherence by prioritising sanitary pad distribution over the Petroleum Hub project in Jomoro, which aligns directly with the government’s 24-hour economy policy.
“There is a Petroleum Hub entity that has been established in this country. This Petroleum Hub needs only GH¢300 million to start operations. These investors are looking for land titles so they can invest, and they need just GH¢300 million.
“This government is able to raise GH¢300 million to go and buy sanitary pads, whereas this enclave will employ not less than 800,000 Ghanaians when fully established,” he said.
According to the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye-Ofosu, the government allocated GH¢300 million for the purchase of 12 million pieces of sanitary pads.
Meanwhile, when completed and fully operational, the Petroleum Hub will include three refineries with a total capacity of 900,000 barrels per stream day (BPSD), five petrochemical plants with a minimum capacity of 90,000 BPSD, storage tanks with a cumulative capacity of 10 million cubic metres, and at least two jetties to support import and export activities.
The project is poised to position Ghana as a leading petroleum and petrochemical hub in Africa, thereby enhancing regional energy security and economic integration.
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