The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, has been directed by the President, Nana Akufo Addo, to return to parliament with the Agyapa Royalties deal for reconsideration.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor, on Monday, revealed its findings of a corruption risk assessment conducted into the transaction to the president.
According to a statement by the Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu, “The analysis of the risk of corruption and anti-corruption assessment was completed and signed by the special prosecutor on 15 October 2020. The Special Prosecutor in a letter with the reference number OSP/SCR/20/12/20 dated 16 October 2020 conveyed the conclusions and observations of the anti-corruption assessment to His Excellency the President and the Honourable Minister of Finance as a matter of courtesy before informing the public.”
Some of the areas prioritized for investigation by President Akufo-Addo during the deal’s return to Parliament includes allocations, relationship and investments involved.
He is however expected to make a public statement on the development and the way forward for the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV).
On August 3, 2020, Parliament amended the act to facilitate the alignment of the respective agreements for the operation of Agyapa Royalties, including is listing on the London and Ghana Stock Exchanges.
The Minority in Parliament has described the deal as one enveloped in secrecy adding that its nature had the tendency to breed corruption, a position that the government has vehemently rejected.
The agreement which is said to be in line with the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) Act, 2018 (Act 978), was passed without support from the Minority in Parliament.
