The Ministry of Finance says it is ready to resubmit the controversial Agyapa Royalties Agreement to Parliament as directed by President Akufo-Addo.
This is despite an earlier memo issued by the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta insisting that due diligence was done during the transaction process through to its final approval by Parliament.
“We wish to assure the general public that the Ministry of Finance is committed to implementing the directives of His Excellency the President,” part of a statement signed by the Public Relations Unit of the Ministry read.
On Monday, President Akufo-Addo instructed the Finance Minister to return the agreements supporting the transaction to Parliament for the approval process to start all over again.
These include the Relationship Agreement, the Assignment Agreement, the Allocation Agreement, and the Investment Agreement.
The instruction came minutes after the Office of the Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu communicated its findings of a corruption risk assessment conducted into the transaction.
Along with the directive to the Finance Ministry, President Akufo-Addo had explained that the move will address earlier concerns raised by the Minority in Parliament and some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).
The President further urged the Ministry of Finance and the Minerals Income Investment Fund and the Transaction Advisors to use the opportunity to amend the relevant Agreements to take into account the useful feedback received during the series of stakeholder consultations over the last two months.
While acknowledging this in its reply to the President, Finance Ministry promised to engage the Ghanaian people and all stakeholders as part of efforts to ensure broader public support for the Agyapa transaction.
Source: myjoyonline.com
