President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has asked the Finance Minister Mr Ken Ofori-Atta to return the Agyapa Royalties agreement to Parliament.
This comes after the Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu said he has concluded his investigations into the deal regarding the alleged corruption-related issues that were raised against it by civil society groups, the Minority in parliament as well as the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The CSOs led by Dr Steve Manteaw claimed that the deal was rushed and is also not in the interest of Ghana.
Similarly, the Presidential candidate of the NDC Mr John Dramani Mahama said he will not recognize the agreement should he win the elections this year to become the next president because in his view, the deal is bad.
Mr Amidu asked the Finance Ministry to pause on the scheduled initial Public Offer (IPO) on the deal until after his investigations.
He said on Monday November 2 that he has finished with his assessment of the transaction and has accordingly submitted his report to the president.
“The analysis of the risk of corruption and anti-corruption assessment was completed and signed by the Special Prosecutor on 15th October 2020.
“The Special Prosecutor in a letter with reference number OSP/SCR/20/12/20 dated 16th October 2020 conveyed the conclusions and observations of the anti-corruption assessment to H. E. the President and the Hon. Minister of Finance as a matter of courtesy before informing the public.”
“Two weeks is more than too long for this Office to continue withholding the announcement of the completion of its sixty-four (64) page report to the public. It is important that this Office has the freedom to discharge its anti-corruption mandate and keep the public informed.
“I have, therefore, decided to bring the facts of the conclusion of the anti-corruption assessment of the Agyapa Royalties Transactions by this Office to the attention of the public and to avoid the continued speculations on this matter,” he said.
By Laud Nartey|3news.com|Ghana