Audio By Carbonatix
Joy News’ checks have revealed claims by the Minority in Parliament that it pushed for an amendment to the Minerals Income Investment Fund Act 2018 to take away its ability to be incorporated abroad is untrue.
Clause 3 subsection A of the Act says the fund may create and hold equity interest in a special purpose vehicle in any jurisdiction in furtherance of it object
Speaking on JoyNews' PM Express on Tuesday, Minority spokesperson on Finance Cassiel Ato Forson said they sought to amend that clause but that was shot down.
But Joy News reading of the parliamentary Hansard of September 25, 2018 when parliament considered Clause 3 of the bill showed the only amendment to the bill was by the chairman of Parliament of finance committee Mark Assibey Yeboah.
The amendment was replaced by figure 41 in the bill with 40. Fast forward to July 2020, government sought amendment to the act to give Agyapa unfettered independent.
Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu served notice that his side will not back the amendment.
"Someone somewhere is thinking of a special purpose vehicle for what? to pay a special vehicle for who? Therefore, Mr Speaker, I am serving notice that I will both outstanding orders that when it comes to this matter we will insist on a headcount on this matter. We don’t want to be counted as supporting this particular deal," he said.
But when Parliament approved on the amendment two weeks later, the minority raised no objection.
It was only when government brought the Agyapa agreement itself to the house for approval that minority MPs walked out of the chamber.
Meanwhile, Civil Society Groups say they are waiting for more documents from government on the Agyapa Royalties deal to re-examine its position on it. The groups met with the Finance Minister on Wednesday.
Latest Stories
-
EU plans checks against cheap plastic imports, FT says
41 minutes -
Atlantic Lithium submits revised mining lease to Parliament
52 minutes -
Mahama receives CRC’s report, implementation committee starts work next yearÂ
1 hour -
BoG, SEC move to regulate crypto as Parliament passes Virtual Assets Law
2 hours -
Electroland’s Akyɛdeɛ Kɛseɛ promo rewards over 10,000 customers nationwide
2 hours -
ElectroChem names Francis Buamah as new CEO to drive next phase of growth
2 hours -
448 conflict hotspots identified – Interior Minister
2 hours -
EC bosses face one-term rule as CRC pushes firewall against political influence
3 hours -
Supreme Court numbers under the knife as Constitution Review Committee proposes cap
3 hours -
Okada legal, but roads not ready – Transport Minister warns
3 hours -
Gov’t to roll out dedicated traffic signs for motor riders
3 hours -
Ghana to launch sea transport service linking Togo, Benin and Nigeria
4 hours -
Jimenez penalty earns Fulham scrappy 1-0 home win over Forest
4 hours -
Uganda coach Put unfazed by Tunisia’s unbeaten streak
4 hours -
Royal Christmas cards have a touchy-feely look this year
4 hours
