Agyapa deal will help solve some of Ghana’s problems, says Sylvester Tetteh
The Bortianor-Ngleshie-Amanfro MP says the Agyapa deal holds the answer to nagging questions on project funding in the country hence the need for the government to bring it back to Parliament
Sylvester Tetteh, the Member of Parliament for Bortianor-Ngleshie-Amanfro, wants the government to fast track the processes leading to the return of the Agyapa Royalty deal to Parliament.
The deal was withdrawn from Parliament in 2020 after a series of opposition by Minority MPs and some civil society organisations.
The Agyapa deal seeks to monetise Ghana’s mineral resources for infrastructure development.
During the debate on the 2022 Budget Statement in Parliament Wednesday (24 November), Sylvester Tetteh said Ghana’s infrastructure deficit is a result of the unavailability of funds to finance projects in the country.
Tetteh said, ” Mr Speaker, all of us here want development in our constituencies, but we forget that there is no money for such, that is why the Agyapa deal should be brought back again to this House for approval so we can fund critical projects in the country”
He added that “Mr Speaker, l will urge the President of the Republic to hurry up with the Agyapa deal so we will get money to develop this country.”
President Akufo-Addo in his 2021 State of the Nation Address announced that the government was fine-tuning the Agyapa deal after extensive consultation with all relevant stakeholders before bringing it to Parliament
“The government will come back to engage the House on the steps it intends to take on the future of the Agyapa transaction,” he said.
About Agyapa deal
Parliament on 14 August this year approved the controversial Agyapa Mineral Royalties Limited agreement with the Government of Ghana despite a walkout by the Minority.
Two years ago, the House passed the Minerals Income Investment Fund Act 2018 which establishes the fund to manage the equity interests of Ghana in mining companies, and receive royalties on behalf of the government.
The fund is supposed to manage and invest these royalties and revenue from equities for higher returns for the benefit of the country.
The law allows the fund to establish Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) to use for the appropriate investments. Last month, the government introduced an amendment to the act to ensure that the SPVs have unfettered independence.
The approval will enable the country to use a special purpose vehicle, Agyapa Royalties Limited to secure about US$1 billion to finance large infrastructural projects.
Wilberforce Asare
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