Agyapa Agreement: Government’s Eyes Still On The Ball – Hadzide
Government has in a bold move has begun engaging stakeholders and Civil Society Organizations in the minerals sector, in a bid to activate applicable portions of the Minerals Income Investment Fund ACT, 2018 (as amended), as part of the implementation process of the Agyapa Royalties deal.
The Agyapa Royalties deal in recent days have come under a lot of backlash especially from the Minority in Parliament and CSO’s such as IMANI Ghana saying that the deal is not in the best interest of the country.
The minority in a press briefing addressed by the Minority Leader in Parliament Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, on Wednesday, September 2, 2020, stated that the deal amongst other things has several shortcomings in terms of constitutional requirements and reeks corruption, an allegation government has refuted vehemently.
Addressing a media briefing on Thursday 3rd September 2020, the Deputy Minister for Information Pius Enam Hadzide, strongly negated claims by the minority and stressed that government under the leadership of President Akufo Addo will not engage in any practice that will come at a loss to the nation.
According to Mr Hadzide, Government’s swift action to addressing the concerns of Ghanaians regarding the Agyapa Royalties deal is a clear testament of a listening government.
“It is noteworthy that Government’s engagement with CSO’s may have helped clarify some misconceptions and misunderstandings surrounding the deal”, Mr Hadzide noted.
Mr. Hadzide further stated that Government is keen on bringing all citizens of this nation along with it, as it embarks on the exciting and novel journey of adding value to the country’s numerous natural resources and leverage the country’s assets for a better tomorrow, that’s in keeping with the Ghana Beyond Aid Agenda.
“Government has the welfare of Ghanaians gravely at heart and all its efforts are directed towards securing the future of the people….Government shall continue to work in the best interest of the Ghanaian people, use our nation’s resources to leverage our assets for tomorrow, and that Government continues to keep its eyes on the ball”, Mr. Hadzide stressed.