The Member of Parliament for Bortianor-Ngleshie-Amanfro, Sylvester Tetteh, wants government to fast-track the processes leading to the return of the Agyapa Royalties deal to Parliament.

The deal was withdrawn from Parliament in 2020 after a series of opposition by Minority MPs and civil society organisations.

The deal seeks to monetise Ghana’s mineral resources for infrastructural development.

Taking his turn to debate the 2022 Budget Statement presented to the House by Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, Sylvester Tetteh said Ghana’s infrastructure deficit is a result of the unavailability of money to fund the project.

“Mr. Speaker, all of us here want development in our constituencies, but we forget that there is no money for such things. 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,” the President said.

About the Agyapa deal

Parliament on August 14th approved the controversial Agyapa Mineral Royalty 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.