Executive Director for the Third World Network, Dr Yao Graham says President Akufo-Addo’s directive to send the Agyapa Deal back to parliament is bizarre.
According to him, the Corruption Risk Assessment conducted by the Office of the Special Prosecutor clearly indicates that a second look is not the best way to go.
“The President's direction is bizarre because if we add up the elements and what the special prosecutor report is saying, there is nothing to take back to parliament.
"This is something which is indicted in terms of how the services were procured and therefore it is not justifiable because of conflict of interest,” he added.
A Corruption Risk Assessment conducted by Martin Amidu stated that there was reasonable suspicion of bid-rigging and a high risk of corruption activity in the selection process of the deal.
The findings also uncovered cases of alleged manipulation of the procurement process by the Ministry of Finance by adding an unapproved rider for collaboration with a Ghanaian firm.
Even though critics have called for the withdrawal of the deal, Mr Akufo-Addo has instructed the Finance Minister to return the Agyapa Royalties Agreement to Parliament for a review after the Office of the Special Prosecutor forwarded its report to him.
Speaking on Newsfile Saturday, Dr Yao Graham indicated that, the incumbent government “should go to the very heart of the conception, whether this is the best way to improve the value of the countries gold resources.”
“The government should honestly accept that it is not the way to go….the conclusions of the effects of the process by Martin Amidu really leads to the point that we should just put it [Agyapa deal] down as a bad experience,” he said on JoyNews.
Latest Stories
-
Director urges parents to protect children from abuse
24 mins -
Imani-Ghana criticises Akufo-Addo for not lauding Fourth Estate’s contribution to social development
32 mins -
Man remanded for allegedly stabbing businessman with broken bottle and screwdriver
57 mins -
Population in Kumasi Central Prison surges to 1800, threefold exceeding capacity
1 hour -
NPP to conduct La Dadekotopon parliamentary primary today
1 hour -
KPMG’s report on GRA and SML deal, government white paper on report and matters arising
1 hour -
I won’t reply to Chris Brown tour criticism – Ayra Star
1 hour -
British Columbia to back off drug decriminalisation project
1 hour -
Veteran commentator Joe Lartey Sr dies at 96
1 hour -
Livestream: Newsfile discusses KPMG report on SML deal, ILO on SSNIT reserves and NDC’s running mate
2 hours -
Ghanaian activist hugs over 1,100 trees in an hour to set Guinness World Records
2 hours -
Mathew Anim Cudjoe’s Dundee United promoted to Scottish Premiership after Championship win
2 hours -
NSMQ star Jochebed Adwoa Sutherland sweeps 12 awards at UG Vice-Chancellor’s Ceremony
3 hours -
Ghana’s Education Quality ranked 125 out of 183 countries in latest Global Youth Development Index
3 hours -
Emma Stone wants people to use her real first name
3 hours