The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has charged government to provide the process of how recruitments for the Agyapa Minerals Royalty agreement were undertaken.

The Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday questioned how the law firm of a member of the ruling party, Gabby Otchere-Darko was selected to facilitate the Agyapa deal.

He also asked government to reveal a well detailed process how the Chief Executive Officer of Agyapa Minerals Royalty limited, Kofi Osafo Maafo was selected.

According to Mr Iddrisu, the information is necessary since the Akufo-Addo administration carried out the whole Agyapa deal with opaqueness and ‘indecent haste’.

“We demand just basic minimal information how African Legal Associates of Gabby Otchere Darko were procured and whether this was done competitively and advertised for all to stand a chance.

“We also want to know the cost of the transaction and how much have been paid to those legal firms and why the choice of the Senior Minister’s son [Kofi Osafo Maafo] as the CEO of Agyapa,” he said.

Commenting on the Agyapa deal as a whole, the Tamale North MP said the agreement does not meet standards of due diligence and constitutional requirements and Thus, the NDC will not respect the agreement should it win the 2020 elections.

The Agyapa Royalties deal

Parliament on August 14, approved the controversial Agyapa Mineral Royalty Limited agreement with the government of Ghana despite a walkout by the Minority.

Two years ago, the house passed the Minerals Income Investment Fund Act 2018 which establishes the Fund to manage the equity interests of Ghana in mining companies, and receive royalties on behalf of government.

The purpose of the fund is to manage and invest these royalties and revenue from equities for higher returns for the benefit of the country.

The law allows the fund to establish Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) to use for the appropriate investments.

Last month, government introduced an amendment to the act to ensure that the SPVs have unfettered independence.