NDC Cannot Scrap Agyapa Minerals Royalties Deal – Benjamin Boakye
The Executive Director of the Africa Center for Energy Policy (ACEP), says the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s decision to dismiss the Agyapa Minerals Royalties agreement when voted into power is wrong.
Benjamin Boakye said it will only increase the risks associated with the deal.
His comment follows threats by the flagbearer of the party, John Mahama, that his next administration will not respect the deal.
But speaking on Prime Morning Wednesday, Mr Boakye said it will rather be in the interest of the NDC administration to engage stakeholders on the new deal instead of the outright condemnation.
He also urged the party to join the stance by some 15 Civil Society Organisations calling for clarification on various concerns raised in connection with the Agyapa deal.
“What we are trying to do is to ensure that we can mitigate risks.
“We also want to be heard in this so our questions can be answered while recognizing that some statements could make investors quite sensitive. And that will affects how much you can raise and what risk premium you’d have to pay for on what you are raising on the stock market”.
He, however, maintained that the arrangement is a clear departure from the promises made to mining communities by the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) in its 2016 manifesto.
“Policy in this country starts from your manifesto, and if you are deviating from what you promised the good people, the honest thing to do is to come out and explain why,” he said.
But the Executive Director for the Danquah Institute, Richard Ahiagbah disagrees.
Contributing to the discussion on the show, Mr. Ahiagbah said the agreement is separate from the party’s manifesto commitment.
“We’re doing something that will give more value to Ghanaians. It’s not a departure.
“This is a separate undertaking from what the government promised and has nothing to do with promises of the manifesto.
“This arrangement is a national public policy issue that we’re engaging in so let’s stop comparing the two.”
Mr. Ahiagbah concluded by accusing the CSOs of holding government to ransom.