The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has staunchly defended the controversial Agyapa Royalties Deal, refuting claims of any criminality associated with the arrangement despite mounting criticism from various quarters.
Richard Ahiagbah, the party’s Director of Communication, stood firm in his defense of the deal, arguing that allegations suggesting it would strip Ghana of control over its mineral resources were unfounded.
He insisted that the Agyapa deal was a legitimate endeavour with the potential to benefit the country.
Addressing concerns raised by IMANI Vice President Bright Simons, who had criticized the deal and urged the government to clarify its stance on the matter, Ahiagbah dismissed the notion that the arrangement posed a threat to Ghana’s future.
He argued that criticisms against the deal were based on conjecture and misconceptions, emphasizing that the deal had not transpired to warrant such accusations.
“There is nothing criminal about it, and that is why I say Bright Simon’s position is conjecture. Because you are trying to impugn motive on something that has not happened,” Ahiagbah stated on JoyNews.
According to Ahiagbah, the Agyapa deal was a complex concept aimed at creating value for Ghana, albeit misunderstood by many. He suggested that political opponents were exploiting public confusion surrounding the deal to score political points.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) 2020 report on Corruption Risk regarding the Agyapa deal, led by Martin Amidu, had concluded that the arrangement was illegal. The report highlighted breaches of the Public Procurement Act, the Public Financial Management Act, and violations of the 1992 Constitution, rendering the deal null and void.