The Minority in Parliament has accused the former Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko and other government officials of causing financial loss to the state.

They indicate that the amount is to the tune of $164 million as judgment debt over the illegal termination of an Emergency Power Agreement between the government and GPGC limited.

According to the group, the former Energy Minister together with other officials terminated the agreement against experts’ advice.

Resulting in what they described as “embarrassing” to the country and denting the image of Ghana internationally.

This follows a ruling by the International Court of Arbitration (ICA) against the Government of Ghana over the termination of an Emergency Power Agreement with Ghana Power Generation Company (GPGC) Limited.

The court in their ruling ordered the government of Ghana to pay the full value of the early termination in the amount of $134,348,661 as well as the accrued interest of $30,000,000.

The Government of Ghana was also ordered to pay other related costs of US$ 3,309,877.74 at the rate of Libor for three-month US dollar deposits, compounded quarterly.

Addressing the press in Parliament on behalf of the Minority Leader, MP for Yapei-Kusawgu, John Jinapor said government could have opted for a negotiated settlement which would have resulted in a settlement cost of not more than $18,000,000 and saved a whooping $146 million for the country.

Mr Jinapor added that the government officials involved in the illegal termination of the contract should be held liable and punish for committing such crime to the state.

He also questioned why Boakye Agyarko rushed to terminate the agreement by a letter dated 13th March 2018.

“This ruling that comes in the wake of a struggling economy which is already choking with huge and unsustainable debt will only contribute largely to the suffering of the ordinary Ghanaian and also jeopardise our future international agreements.

“This abrogation clearly demonstrates lack of respect for the sanctity of contracts and has the potential of scaring away investors,” he noted.

John Jinapor added the Minority in Parliament will use any legitimate process including parliamentary probe to ensure those public officials whose negligence has caused the nation are punished.

“We are highly disappointed in this development, it is becoming obvious that the Akufo-Addo government has failed Ghanaians. Not only has it failed to live up to its promise it has brought the Energy sector on its knees with crippling debt running into billions of dollars due to inefficiency and managerial incompetence.

“Those responsible for this avoidable judgment debts and financial loss to the State must be held liable and punished for this crime against the State,” he stated.

In the related Energy issues, John Jinapor also accused government of being heartless and insensitive to plight of suffering Ghanaians over the rampant increases in petroleum products.

He added that that the Minority in Parliament will resist any attempt by government to further increase fuel prices.

The Yapei-Kusawgu MP also urged government to be innovative by supporting businesses and individuals affected by Covid-19 as transport operators threaten to increase transport fares.