The Finance Minister disclosed that the deal will be tabled before Parliament again: “It is not about whether the monetization of mineral royalties or listing of the company is bad or good, it is good because that is how you raise resources”.
“If we have a problem with the process, let’s articulate it, let’s cure it, but let us not drop something that would be good for us and reduce our debt exposure. My mind is still there [on Agyapa]. I know the President has mentioned something about that,” the Minister added
However, Charles Owusu believes the Finance Minister had it wrong.
Contributing to a panel discussion on Peace FM’s ‘The Platform’ program, he ranted: “What do you mean; Is Ghana yours? Ghana is not for any individual to make decisions without anyone’s input. If that is the case why is it going to Parliament? Wisdom does not lie in one person . . . even though NPP is in government it doesn’t mean Ghana belongs to NPP; that they can do whatever they like with the country’s resources without our consent. We’re not in a dictatorship era where you can do anything you like”.
He continued: “You can’t speak like this . . . you have been in charge of the nation’s finances since 2017 . . . we’re in crisis and people are already angry; we indeed need money to develop the nation but if you borrow are you not going to pay with the tax payers’ money? Or it’s only you and your family members who will pay?”
“Everyone’s input matters because everyone is a shareholder . . . the fact that you’re a Minister doesn’t mean you should be worshipped . . . everybody has a say,” he added.
Meanwhile, Charles Owusu has asked that the debate on the ‘new’ Agyapa deal should be made open.
