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SML’s minerals contract an attempt to reintroduce Agyapa deal – Bright Simons
Bright Simons, the Honorary Vice President of IMANI Africa, has expressed concern about a new contract that was set to be awarded to the controversial Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML).
He revealed that SML had signed a contract to receive 0.75 percent of every mineral Ghana would sell if the Fourth Estate hadn’t exposed their operations.
In an interview with Bernard Avle on Citi TV’s Point of View, Mr Simons argued that the new contract was essentially an attempt to reintroduce the Agyapa deal.
“Until the Fourth Estate intervened with its exposé, and IMANI joined, this matter would not have been at the stage it is currently in. We were going to give them an additional contract, and that contract would have required that for every barrel of oil we produce in this country, we must give them 0.75 percent, that’s almost a dollar, every barrel,” he said.
According to him, “Every mineral such as gold, diamond, manganese, that every time we sell, we must give them 0.75 percent. The pattern of analysis is not about performance. Our argument is that this is Agyapa suit and tie, this is basically an attempt to reintroduce Agyapa [deal]. After Agyapa failed, that is for the upstream.”
The Agyapa royalties deal, which aimed to securitise Ghana’s mineral resources for development and cost $12 million, was abandoned due to strong opposition.
Mr Simons added that between 2016 and 2022, SML was the largest recipient of money in the energy sector.
“SML was the biggest recipient of money in the entire energy sector from the energy taxes in 2016 to 2022. Per the amount distribution…the amounts of money we paid to key agencies like Volta River Authority, Electricity Company of Ghana, out of taxes per year, compared to the about two hundred something per year they are receiving is lower,” he said.
On January 2, President Akufo-Addo commissioned KPMG to audit the contract between the GRA and SML. Following the submission of its report, KPMG disclosed that SML had been paid a total of GH¢1,061,054,778.00 from 2018 to the present.
Background
The Fourth Estate released an investigative piece in December 2023 indicting SML, the GRA, and the Ministry of Finance.
Fourth Estate accused GRA of awarding SML a 10-year contract that accrues SML $100 million annually. It also raised concerns about alleged underhand dealings.
SML, after the report was released, debunked claims of being awarded a 10-year contract duration, insisting that it has been given a 5-year contract instead.
Source: Citinewsroom.com
The Vice President, Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has called for stronger action to promote gender equity and create more opportunities for women in the workplace.
She made the call in a Facebook post after joining staff at the Presidency of Ghana to mark International Women’s Day.
The celebration was held under the theme “From Commitment to Action: Promoting Equity for Every Woman in the Workplace” and focused on recognising the achievements of women while reflecting on the work needed to ensure equal opportunities.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang extended warm wishes to women across Ghana and noted that women have always played key roles in the country’s communities and economic activities.
According to her, women in the past served as healers, traders and queen mothers who contributed to leadership and governance in traditional societies.
She explained that Ghana’s cultural history shows that women have long provided knowledge, leadership and innovation to help develop communities.
The Vice President however noted that current disparities require society to examine systems and structures that may have limited opportunities for women.
She stressed that advancing gender equity will require deliberate actions and the mentoring of young women to prepare them for leadership roles.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang recognised women whose work takes place in markets, streets and small trading spaces across the country.
According to her, these women form the backbone of local economies and continue to demonstrate resilience despite the difficult conditions they face.
She commended women working at the Presidency for their dedication and leadership and reaffirmed the need to promote respect, fairness and opportunity for every woman.
The Vice President further called on both men and women to work together to break barriers and ensure that women can fully contribute to Ghana’s development.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Diaspora Affairs Office at the Office of the President has hosted a delegation of African diaspora women who are in Ghana ahead of a planned Presidential Conferment of Citizenship ceremony.
The Director of Diaspora Affairs, Kofi Okyere Darko, explained in a Facebook post that the visit was a gesture of appreciation by the delegation to the Government of Ghana for its continued efforts to reconnect Africans in the diaspora with their ancestral homeland.
He indicated that the ceremony, scheduled for next Monday, will officially grant Ghanaian citizenship to members of the delegation as part of the country’s broader engagement with the African diaspora.
The delegation was led by Erica Bennett, Founder of the Diaspora Africa Forum.
According to Mr Okyere Darko, her years of advocacy have played an important role in strengthening ties between Africa and people of African descent living abroad.
He noted that the group’s journey towards citizenship represents not only a legal process but also a cultural and spiritual return to their roots.
Also present at the meeting was Natalie Jackson, an attorney who is also expected to receive Ghanaian citizenship during the ceremony. She works closely with renowned civil rights lawyer Ben Crump.
Mr Okyere Darko emphasised that Ghana remains committed to strengthening relationships with the African diaspora and promoting unity, identity, and shared heritage among people of African descent worldwide.
By: Jacob Aggrey
