Chief of Staff Julius Debrah Denies Involvement in NPA Deputy CEO’s Continued Tenure

The Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, Mr. Julius Debrah has publicly distanced himself from reports suggesting his involvement in the continued stay in office of Linda Boamah Asante Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA).

This comes after a news article published by MyNewsGh.com on Monday, April 21, 2025, alleged that Mrs. Boamah Asante had retained her position at the NPA despite the change in government, reportedly with the support of the Chief of Staff.

According to the report, Linda Boamah Asante who was appointed by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2022, remains in her role as Deputy CEO in charge of Inspections, Monitoring, and Health, Safety and Environment (IM&HSE). Her continued stay, despite the exit of former Deputy CEO Perry Okudzeto, was linked to alleged political maneuvering and supposed endorsement by the current Chief of Staff.

In a swift response, however, Mr. Julius Debrah, who serves under President John Dramani Mahama, firmly denied any form of association with the Deputy CEO.

I’ve never met her in my life, neither do I even know her, Mr. Debrah said in a brief interview with GhanaWeb, rejecting any suggestion that he had influenced or supported Mrs. Boamah Asante’s continued tenure at the Authority.

Mrs. Boamah Asante’s appointment came during the second term of the Akufo-Addo administration and was part of a broader restructuring of the NPA leadership. Following the December 2024 general election, which brought the National Democratic Congress (NDC) back to power under President Mahama, a number of public sector heads and state agency leaders appointed under the previous government have been relieved of their posts.

While the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has raised concerns over what it describes as politically motivated dismissals, members of the current administration argue that such changes are consistent with long-standing practices in Ghanaian governance. They contend that aligning key state agencies with the current government’s policy direction is necessary for effective administration.

So far, the NPA has not issued an official statement regarding the status of its Deputy CEOs. As public interest in political appointments and continuity grows, observers continue to monitor how transitions are managed in key institutions under the new administration.

The evolving developments surrounding appointments at state institutions highlight the importance of transparency, due process, and adherence to best practices in public service leadership across Ghana.