The Chairman of Parliament’s Finance Committee has taken a jibe at the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs for kicking against the agreement between government and Agyapa Royalties Limited.

Dr Mark Assibey-Yeboah in an interview on Joy FM’s Top Story Monday said the opposition is jealous it could not come up with such innovative investment fund for Ghana’s minerals, hence, the castigation.

He noted that government will have 51 per cent shares in the Agyapa Royalties Limited, so the deal will not rob Ghanaians but to sustain the flow of income for the nation.

“I see those who complain about this deal to be jealous because they came in power for eight years and didn’t do it.

“Look, there is nothing criminal or unfair about and we should hail those who have put this together, he stated.

The Minority in Parliament on Friday raised red flags over the Agyapa Royalties Limited agreement which they say will give the firm $1 billion revenue expected to be accrued from Ghana’s mineral resources.

The Deputy Finance Minister, Abena Asare laid the Minerals Royalty Investment agreement before parliament on the night of August 13 for approval.

The firm used to be Asaase Royalties Limited but the name was changed recently to Agyapa.

“We’re shocked in the sense that the government in doing so has decided to incorporate a company called Agyapa Royalties Limited. Do you agree with me that not long ago there was some discussion that government had formed a company called Asaase Royalties Limited?

“After the issue came to the public this government has now decided to change the name from Asaase to Agyapa,” Cassiel Ato Forson said.

The Minority also argued that the company was incorporated in a tax haven city in the United Kingdom without oversight from Ghana.

He disclosed that the incorporation documents are yet to be made available despite a request by the Minority.

“As of now, we don’t know the directors and who owns the shares of the Agyapa Company.”

Reacting to these allegations, Dr Assibey-Yeboah said the investors of the Agyapa Mineral agreement can be any Ghanaian at all.

He, however, stressed that private shareholders can't have more than 49 per cent.

Meanwhile, the Associative Director of WACAM, Hannah Koranteng advised that the issue be discussed devoid of political affiliation.

For her, the growth of the country should be the ultimate concern as Parliament handles the Agyapa Mineral agreement