Audio By Carbonatix
Former President John Dramani Mahama has re-stated his opposition to plans to re-introduce the controversial Agyapa deal.
He said the deal is bad for the youth, because it will invariably mean “mortgaging the future of our youth”.
According to the former president, the Agyapa deal is outrightly inconsiderate because it is a plan to mortgage the future of the country and Ghana's youth to fund Akufo-Addo’s present day desires.
Explaining the rationale behind the Agyapa scheme in an interview on Cape 93.3FM, Mr. Mahama said, "they are mortgaging Ghana for everything. They have sold everything for loans. Now they don't have anything to sell anymore. It is our gold that is left, that is the Agyapa they want to do".
"Because they see that they've sold the utensils, they've sold the chairs in the hall, the bed in the bedroom has been sold, now they are looking for the next item to sell. They have settled on the windows to sell. That is our gold, which they want to sell this time. They want to use that to go and collect over one billion dollars", he lamented.
He said government has always received a 10% stake as gold royalties, which royalty the Akufo-Addo government is intent on mortgaging for loans to spend today.
He fingered the Finance Minister, accusing him of being a happy participant in the abuse, because his company always gets a percentage from the loans raised.
The 2020 National Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential Candidate said the government has benefited the most from Ghana's resources and accrued the most revenue, but this has not reflected in the development of the country, and on the living standards of the people.
He observed that the Finance Minister, cousin to President Akufo-Addo, has mortgaged the Energy Sector Levy and the GETFund for many years, which he says imposes the burden of payment on the youth who would be paying the debts for many more years to come.
"Even though the ESLA bond we brought was supposed to be for five (5) years, today the last ESLA bond they did they have extended it to between 20 - 30 years. It means you and I; our children and our grandchildren will continue paying the loan until beyond 2030. GETFund has been mortgaged for the next 15 years. This means all contributions we pay for GetFUND will only go toward paying loan and not for anything else", he disclosed.
"Our children will pay and pay and pay but won't be able to finish paying. Our grandchildren will take over from them and continue paying the debts" he added.
Mr. Mahama, therefore, warned that "If we don't halt this trend government appears set on, it will get to a point where we can no longer pay our debts."
Latest Stories
-
Livestream: 2025 Year in Review
21 minutes -
Ghana’s crypto transactions hit $10bn by November – SEC
23 minutes -
SEC says VASP law will protect investors, ensure market integrity
24 minutes -
Mandatory Smart Port note will increase cost of doing business – Coalition of exporters, importers and traders
30 minutes -
Banda MP hands over police station, quarters to Banda Boase community
34 minutes -
I’m going to spend a lot more energy to make Kumasi clean – KMA boss
44 minutes -
We’re on a journey together to restore our party to its rightful place – Dr. Bawumia to NPP delegates
46 minutes -
Thieves use drill to steal €30m in German bank heist
56 minutes -
Protests spread across Iran for third day after currency hits record low
1 hour -
NRSA to enforce mandatory removal of broken-down vehicles from highways in 2026
2 hours -
Individuals on trial by the A-G linked to a potential NPP flagbearer – Rosemond Obeng alleges
2 hours -
President Mahama signs law regulating cryptocurrencies and virtual assets
2 hours -
‘Cyborg’ seen in viral video firing gun during musician Asake meet-up arrested
2 hours -
Media Coalition Against Galamsey calls for prosecutions, questions effectiveness of deportation policy
3 hours -
Tyson Fury pays tribute to Anthony Joshua’s friends killed in Nigeria car crash
3 hours
