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The Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) has defended its decision to send about 40 officials to Brazil saying they were there to work and promote the Corporation�s brand. The Herald newspaper reported on Monday that the GNPC sponsored officials and their spouses to Brazil and paid about $250 as per diem. The report has angered many with some Ghanaians questioning the prudence of sending such a huge number of officials to Brazil at the time Ghana�s economy was in trouble. �The cooperation paid the tickets of staff but which ever staff member who decided to come with the spouse paid the ticket of that spouse,�the Corporate Affiars Manager of GNPC, Eric Puadura said. Justifying the company�s decision, Mr. Puadura said GNPC also held official meetings that marketed the company to the world. �The GNPC is the headline sponsor of the Black Stars, we are marketing our brand and the Black Star brand is a good brand for us to market �We saw the World Cup as an opportunity to further market our brand. We got international media hits and we got international media interviews about our brand,�Mr. Paudura said. He stated that the GNPC in that regard, held meetings and other engagements during their trip to Brazil. According to him, �this is not the first time the GNPC has sponsored its staff to watch matches at Brazil.� Commenting on the benefits the trip brought to the GNPC brand he noted that �we got international media hits, we got international media interviews about our brand� �The media mileage as a result of the Black Stars alone is way above what we paid for. We had international TV stations who were interested in knowing more about the GNPC,�Mr. Puadura added.