Agyapa deal: ECOWAS Has Vindicated Akufo-Addo Gov’t … Says NPP

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) says the recent ruling by the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice has vindicated the Akufo-Addo government’s position on the Agyapa Royalties Limited transaction.

Speaking to journalists in Accra yesterday, the Director of Communication of the party, Richard Ahiagba, said the party was satisfied with the court’s ruling.

“As a party and government, we are particularly happy that it was an ECOWAS Community Court of Justice that adjudicated the issue and arrived at the conclusion that there was no wrongdoing with the spirited move by the government to leverage our mineral incomes to accelerate development,” he said.

At the heart of the matter was the establishment of Agyapa Royalties Limited, a Special Purpose Vehicle owned solely by the government through the Minerals Income Investment Fund.

The entity aimed to publicly list up to 49% of its shares on the prestigious London Stock Exchange, sparking extensive debates and accusations in the lead-up to the 2020 general election.

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), including the Ghana Integrity Initiative and the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition, took their concerns to the ECOWAS Court, alleging corruption and impropriety in the transaction.

However, in a unanimous decision delivered in July 2023, the court ruled that there was no evidence substantiating the claims of corruption and concluded that the transaction adhered to all legal prerequisites.

The NPP Director of Communication lauded the ECOWAS Court’s ruling and that the party, which has firmed the government, was satisfied with the latter’s steadfast commitment to transparent and legitimate practices.

He was full of praise for the Ghana Integrity Initiative and the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition for utilising their right to seek legal recourse and stated that the court’s verdict had comprehensively addressed their concerns.

“The ruling serves as a testament to the rule of law and the importance of civil society’s role in ensuring accountability,” Ahiagba noted.

He also referenced President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s call for active citizenship, citing the civil society groups’ actions as a manifestation of this principle.

According to Ahiagba, CSOs play an integral role in holding the government accountable, acknowledging that constructive criticism and concerns are vital in the democratic process.

He encouraged a continued dialogue between the government and these organisations for the betterment of the nation.