Businessman Ibrahim Mahama has denied claims that he is seeking to acquire the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO), describing the allegations as false and announcing plans to pursue legal action against those responsible.
The denial follows a petition submitted to President John Dramani Mahama by the Industrial and Commercial Workers’ Union (ICU)-Ghana, urging the government to halt any proposed sale of VALCO.
The union staged a protest march over reports that the state-owned aluminium company could be sold, with some protesters alleging it would be acquired by Mr Mahama, founder of Engineers & Planners and brother of the President.
In a statement posted on Facebook by his Special Aide, Rafik Mahama, the businessman rejected the claims, saying he had neither expressed interest in nor made an offer to acquire VALCO.
“Mr Ibrahim Mahama has no such interest and has not made any such offer to acquire VALCO,” the statement said.
It described the allegations as part of a sustained effort to tarnish Mr Mahama’s reputation.
“Unfortunately, the allegation is the latest in several vile attempts to impute the integrity of Ibrahim Mahama and subject him to needless public engagements,” the statement added.
The statement further defended the businessman’s record, saying all businesses in which he has interests were established or acquired lawfully and have operated in compliance with applicable laws.
“The track record of the integrity of the businesses that Mr Mahama has interest in proves that his businesses are one of the best-run operations across the African continent. All of the business interests of Mr Mahama have been legally commenced or acquired and operate within the ambit of applicable laws.”
According to the statement, Mr Mahama remains committed to contributing to Ghana’s development through investment and has instructed his lawyers to commence legal action over the allegations.
“He is committed to contributing his quota to the development of Ghana by investing in business opportunities in Ghana and beyond. He has instructed his lawyers to take the necessary legal action,” the statement said.
The ICU-Ghana has maintained that VALCO is a strategic national asset and should remain under Ghanaian ownership, urging the government to abandon any plans to privatise the company.
