Agyapa Deal: Martin Amidu’s report should be a wake up call for Parliament – Edem Agbana
Mr. Edem Agbana
The National Deputy Youth Organizer of National Democratic Congress (NDC) Mr. Edem Agbana says, the Special Prosecutor Mr. Martin A.B.K Amidu’s report on the controversial Agyapa Minerals Royalties Agreement should be a wake up call for the Members of Parliament who represent their Constituents in Parliament.
Edem Agbana, who was speaking on TV3’s Newday on Tuesday, 3rd November, 2020 monitored by Coverghana.com.gh noted that, the Parliament of Ghana has been reduced to rubber stand under the Presidency of H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his corrupt appointees.
Speaking further, the young and brave National Deputy Youth Organizer of the National Democratic Congress Edem Agbana expressed his disappointment and displeasure in the activities of the Legislative House thus Parliament of Ghana. According to him, the speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Professor Michael Aaron Oquaye and majority Members of Parliament have used their office and population to frustrate critical activities in the House that need proper and effective probe before approval. “Martin Amidu’s report should be a wake up call for future Parliament” Edem Agbana said.
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He therefore admonished Members of Parliament to exercise decorum, seek further clarifications on matters brought before the House before approval and must not always sing praises to every proposal during Parliamentary sittings. “Don’t go and say “Yeeye” in parliament to critical, and technical issues of public interest, seek further probe into matters before approval” He advised.
Edem Agbana, in his statement endorsed the Special Prosecutor’s report on the Agyapa Minerals Royalties Agreement by saying, Martin Amidu’s report is an indictment on Parliament of Ghana.
He therefore asked Members of Parliament to consult specialists and technocrats on key issues to understand critical transactions before approval in the Parliament.
BACKGROUND
On 15th October, 2020, the Special Prosecutor Mr. Martin A.B.K Amidu has released a report on Risk of Corruption and Anti-Corruption Assessment in relation to the Gold Royalties monetization Transaction, under the Minerals Income Investment Act 2018 (ACt 978).
Following the Special Prosecutor’s reports, the President of the Republic of Ghana, in a statement signed by the Director of Communications at the Jubilee House Eugene Arhim has instructed the Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to return the agreement to Parliament for broader discussions in order to address the concerns raised, principally, by the Minority, about having been given very limited time to subject properly the various Agreements to proper Scrutiny.
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The transaction documents to be resubmitted according to the President’s statement are the Relationship Agreement, the Assignment Agreement, the Allocation Agreement, and the investment Agreement.
The President also directed that the procurement of the services of the Transaction Advisor(s) should also be reviewed by the Ministry of Finance and the Attorney General, with the aim of taking all steps that may be necessary to remove any doubts about the integrity of the process.
The Special Prosecutor’s report, according to the National Democratic Congress has vindicated them following their disapproval of the Agyapa Minerals Royalties Agreement in the Legislative House of Parliament.
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Read below, the Special Prosecutor’s full report on the Agyapa Minerals Royalties Agreement
SOURCE: Coverghana.com.gh
