Don’t Draw Togbe Afede Into Controversial Agyapa Deal - National House Of Chiefs Warns

The National House of Chiefs has rebuked individuals trying to draw its President, Togbe Afede XIV into the controversial Agyapa Royalties Agreement debate. The National House of Chiefs gave the warning following the circulation of a statement purported to have been

issued by Togbe Afede to condemn some alleged ethnocentric comments made by flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress,John Mahama on the agreement. The Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State in a release advised Ghanaians and the

media to disregard such publications by “people obviously searchin to legitimize wrongdoing.” “The House wants to state without equivocation that neither the President nor the leadership of the House has issued such a press release or statement. It's therefore

preposterous for any person or group of persons to attempt to draw the President and the National House of Chiefs into the controversial Agyapa/Asaase royalties transaction,” the statement signed by Stephen Owusu, Public Relations Officer of the National House

of Chiefs said.  The National House of Chiefs has further urged the IGP and the Director General of CID of the Ghana Police Service to institute a thorough investigation into the false publication. The Agyapa Royalties deal has become a topical issue following

concerns from members of opposition. Civil Society groups in Mines and Energy have raised concerns over the deal, describing the Agyapa Royalties agreement as one which isn't transparent. This was after officials of the Minerals. Investment Fund MIIF explained that

Agyapa Royalties Limited will be listed on both the Ghana and London Stock Exchange. The CSOs have also raised questions as to why the company was established in a known tax haven. Despite these concerns, Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta, has said

the agreement is wholly in the best interest of the country. The Minister said, there was a need for government to create value for the country’s mineral resources, especially by leveraging that value to investors. Government through the Minerals Income

Investment Fund MIIF set up Agyapa Royalties Limited to monetise Ghana’s gold royalties. In exchange, the company plans to raise between $500 million and $750 million for the Government on the Ghana and London Stock exchanges to invest in developmental projects