[ad_1]
The opposition Democratic National Congress (NDC) has given the government a week-long ultimatum to recover all state money paid to Databank and other companies under the Agyapa Royalty deal.
According to the Secretary General of the NDC, Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia, who cited a Corruption Risk Assessment report presented by the Special Prosecutor, Mr. Martin ABK Amidu, last week that indicated that the Agyapa agreement was null and void. Indeed, the party said it would fight to protect state resources.
Speaking at the party’s weekly press conference in Accra on Tuesday, November 10, Mr. Asiedu-Nketia said that the NDC, along with organizations that share his point of view, will undertake a series of protests and legal action if the government does not respond positively to your demands.
“The NDC hereby demands that President Akufo recover for the state the billions of cedis that his government has illegally paid under the Agyapa agreement to Databank and African Legal Associates, within the next 7 days, in his If the NDC and other progressive forces are not related, it will undertake a series of protests and legal actions to guarantee that every pesewa paid to these companies is returned to the State for nation building.
Punishment
He expressed the party’s disappointment at the way the government allegedly protects people said to be involved in the deal.
“The NDC is dismayed by President Akufo-Addo’s refusal to hit Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta, who oversaw this heist in the daylight, and his deputy, Charles Adu Boahen, who fraudulently signed the Mandate Agreement when it had no place. to do so under our laws. It is sad but not surprising that these government officials responsible for the shady Agyapa deal, which has caused a huge financial loss for the nation, are still in office, ”he said.
He also disagreed with the suggestion of President Akufo-Addo to bring the agreement to parliament, as well as the Special Prosecutor’s directive to continue the investigations until after the December elections.
“The Procurement findings cannot be remedied with a parliamentary review of the deal, as President Akufo Addo is urging us. These issues can only and should be addressed through the criminal justice system of this country, ”he explained.
Mr. Asiedu NketiaHowever, he asked Mr. Amidu to initiate investigations and ensure that all the people who participated in the Agyapa settlement are treated according to the law.
“The Special Prosecutor’s Office must carry out criminal investigations on this matter and ensure that anyone who, directly or indirectly, has played a role in this Agyapa scam, faces all the rigors of the law. That is the only way to save the failed fight against corruption in our country, ”he said.
He said that the NDC, if it came to power, would investigate the Agyapa deal and punish everyone involved in the deal through an operation known as “Operation Sting’s crusade.”
Background
On August 14, 2020, Parliament approved the Agyapa Minerals Royalty Investment Agreement and four related documents to enable the monetization of future Ghana gold royalties.
Under the agreement, Agyapa Mineral Royalties Limited has been incorporated in Jersey near the UK to receive and administer royalties from 16 gold mining leases over the next 15 years or so.
In return, the firm will be listed on the London and Ghana stock exchanges later this year and will raise at least $ 500 million for the government to invest in infrastructure, healthcare and education.
The listing will allow individuals to buy a 49 percent stake in the company.
Investigation Special Prosecutor’s Office
Therefore, the Special Prosecutor, Mr. Martin ABK Amidu, initiated investigations into the Agyapa Mineral Royalty transaction.
In a letter dated September 10, 2020, addressed to the Secretary of Parliament, the Special Prosecutor said that the investigation was in line with his office’s mandate to exercise the functions and powers of prevention of corruption.
“I am writing to you in accordance with Sections 2 (1) c, 29 and 73 of Law 959 and Regulation 31 (1) and (2) of LI 2374 ordering that the Office exercise the functions and powers of prevention of corruption , to ask you to provide this office with information and all related documents and / or in relation to Parliament’s approval of the Agyapa Royalty Transaction to help this office carry out its purpose of preventing corruption ”, says the letter from the Special Prosecutor to Parliament.
The Special Prosecutor urged Parliament to ensure “timely compliance with this legal notice.”
Concentration
The letter adds: “This Office will focus on any potential of such a transaction to promote and facilitate the alleged commission of corruption and corruption-related crimes and advise the government accordingly.”
He said that in view of the public interest generated in the issue in the tense electoral environment this year, “it will be greatly appreciated if you make the requested information available to the Office and submit the required documents to this office on or before Tuesday in September. 17 of 2020, ”the letter read.
[ad_2]
