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Attorney General-designate Godfred Dame said former justice minister and attorney general Gloria Akuffo never opposed Agyapa’s royalty deal.
Speaking to the parliamentary appointments committee during its audit on Friday, the former deputy attorney general noted that he was also “not at all opposed to what she (Gloria Akuffo) was doing”.
He added that he supported “in all respects what she did in the Agyapa Royalties transaction”.
Further, Mr Dame said: “Secondly, I indicate for the record that the former Attorney General (Gloria Akuffo) never opposed the operation and this is clear in all the documents I have. “.
The Agyapa Royalties deal was the subject of much debate and controversy during President Akufo-Addo’s first term.
The deal, passed by parliament on August 14, 2020, aimed to allow the country to use a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), Agyapa Royalties Limited, to raise around $ 1 billion to fund large infrastructure projects.
However, following controversies over the deal, former special prosecutor Martin Amidu signaled the deal hinting at the risks of money laundering and possible bid-rigging in the procurement process. with advisers.
Ahead of the release of its report, the attorney general’s office headed by Gloria Akuffo called the controversial deal “unacceptable”.
A document leaked by the Attorney General’s office called the deal “onerous” and “a violation of the Bank of Ghana Act”. He further declared that “the provisions go against the interests of the Fund and the Republic”.
Following the leaked letter from the attorney general’s office, the contract transaction advisers fought back. Gabby Asare Otchere Darko of Africa Legal Associates, one of the law firms advising on the deal, told Osei Bonsu on Asempa FM Ekosi Sen show that Gloria Akuffo then turned around after several engagements with the lawyers.
According to Mr. Otchere Darko, in said letter dated August 12, the Attorney General wrote: “We have reviewed the last reference letter and the draft agreements submitted and note that our comments have been incorporated and that modifications have been made. made to the draft agreements. “
After several appeals from CSOs and other relevant bodies, the agreement was suspended in October 2020.
The Ministry of Finance explained that this decision is intended to give the Special Prosecutor’s Office sufficient time to conduct its corruption risk assessment regarding the transaction.
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