Attorney-General designate, Godfred Dame has stated that former Justice Minister and Attorney-General, Gloria Akuffo never opposed the Agyapa Royalties deal.

Speaking to Parliament's Appointment Committee during his vetting Friday, the former Deputy Attorney-General noted that he was also "not opposed at all to anything she (Gloria Akuffo) did."

He added that he stands "in all respect with what she did in respect of the Agyapa Royalties transaction".

Further to that, Mr Dame stated, "Secondly, I am indicating for the record that the former Attorney-General (Gloria Akuffo) was never opposed to the transaction and that is clear in all the documents available to me”.

The Agyapa Royalties deal was the subject of much debate and controversy during President Akufo-Addo's first term as president.

The deal, passed by Parliament August 14, 2020 sought to enable the country to use a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), Agyapa Royalties Limited, to secure about $1 billion to finance large infrastructural projects

However, following the controversies over the deal, former Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu red-flagged the deal alluding to risks of money laundering and possible bid-rigging in the contracting of advisors.

Prior to the release of his report, the Attorney-General’s office lead by Madam Gloria Akuffo described the controversial agreement as "unconscionable".

A leaked document from the office of the Attorney General described the deal as "onerous" and "a violation of Bank of Ghana Act". It further stated that "The provisions are skewed against the interest of the Fund and the Republic".

Following the leaked letter from the office of the Attorney General, the transaction advisors of the contract fought back. Gabby Asare Otchere Darko of Africa Legal Associates, one of the legal firms advising on the deal told Osei Bonsu on Asempa FM’s Ekosi Sen show that Gloria Akuffo subsequently made a u-turn after several engagements with the lawyers.

According to Mr Otchere Darko, in the said letter dated August 12, the Attorney General wrote: “we have reviewed the latest letter under reference and the submitted drafts agreement and note that our comments have been incorporated and changes effected to the draft agreements.”

After several calls by CSOs and other concerned bodies, the deal was suspended in October 2020.

The Finance Ministry explained that the move is to allow the Office of the Special Prosecutor ample time to conduct its Corruption Risk Assessment regarding the transaction.