Accra: Former Deputy Attorney General and former Deputy Managing Director of the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company Limited (BOST), Joseph Kpemka, has spoken after being invited by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) for questioning over alleged financial irregularities linked to a fuel supply contract during his time at the company.
According to Ghana Web, Kpemka, who served at BOST from June 2024 under the Akufo-Addo-led government, said the investigation centers on a demurrage claim of over US$800,000 arising from the delayed delivery of products by a United Arab Emirates-based trading company, Poly Pro Trading DMCC. Speaking to media personality Blakk Rasta, he maintained that neither he nor the previous BOST management was responsible for the demurrage, arguing that the delay was caused by the supplier and a court order that prevented BOST from receiving the products.
Kpemka explained that the contract was entered into in February 2024, months before he joined BOST in June. He recounted that the products were delivered late and, at the time, a court order was in place restraining BOST from receiving them. He emphasized that the delay was on the part of the ship owners in delivering the product, compounded by the court's injunction.
Kpemka further explained that Poly Pro Trading DMCC later requested BOST's assistance to have the products released for clearing. BOST informed the company that intervention was impossible due to late delivery and the court order. Although the products were eventually released after the court order was lifted, the delay resulted in a demurrage claim by the supplier, which the previous BOST management rejected, maintaining that the company was not liable.
The situation escalated when Poly Pro Trading DMCC initiated arbitration proceedings against BOST, seeking payment of the demurrage. Kpemka noted that the new management of BOST believed the previous administration failed to include adequate protective clauses in the contract, exposing BOST to potential financial loss-a view that led to EOCO's involvement.
Kpemka expressed confidence that no actual financial loss had been incurred by the state, stating, "Mind you, no GHS1 has been lost so far. Not GHS1 has been lost," emphasizing that the alleged loss was anticipated as BOST had not paid the demurrage. He urged BOST to contest the claim fully rather than negotiate a settlement, arguing the demurrage resulted from the supplier's late delivery and the court order.
He denied any relationship with Poly Pro Trading DMCC's owners or directors and challenged investigators to provide evidence of personal benefit from the transaction. Kpemka concluded by asserting his innocence, stating, "If anybody gets one piece of evidence against me that I stole, I committed fraud. I defrauded. I deliberately made the government to lose money so that I benefit. If you get that piece of evidence against me, I don't deserve to live."