The Director of Local Government Services at the Office of the President, Dennis Miracles Aboagye has rubbished attempts by some Ghanaian people to petition Parliament to scrutinize the lithium deal between government and Barari DV Ltd.
To him, the act of petitioning Parliament when the sector Minister has indicated government's resolve to have the deal scrutinize by the House, smacks of populism.
The deal gives Ghana a 10% royalty rate, 13% free carried interest and some additional benefits.
The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor believes this deal is the best arguing that the royalties that Ghana will accrue from the mining of lithium is one of the highest in the country’s mineral exploration history but there are some people who strongly disagree with this assertion.
One of the opposers is Atik Mohammed, a former PNC General Secretary, who has served notice to present a petition to Parliament to dispute the deal.
To him, the deal is “not protected by any law”.
He also questions the negotiation skills of the sector Minister saying “we cannot rely on the negotiation skills of a Minister to determine how much carried interest we should have in lithium”.
He adds; “This (lithium) is the future. It is going to replace oil, so we can’t be relying on his negotiation skills. There ought to be a law which tells that when it comes to lithium, this is government’s carried interest.”
But to Dennis Miracles, it is absolutely irrelevant for any person to petition Parliament while the deal is already going to the August House for deliberations.
“Sometimes, people need to get busy. It’s okay,” he said.
"The Minister has already sent the deal to Parliament for scrutiny, so what's the need to petition the House?”, he questioned.
To him, it is only a "busybody" who will petition Parliament about the same deal that is already to be laid before the House for possible deliberations.
He also opined that “a lot of the people making the commentary are jumping the gun. They are making a lot of assumptions. A lot of the points they are making are not rounded on any facts”.
“This is a negotiation. When it comes to negotiation, until you have all the facts in the negotiation room, everything you say can be either you are being emotional; you are being non-factual or you are using a lot of assumptions,” he slammed the critics.
Dennis Miracles gave these remarks on Peace FM’s morning show “Kokrokoo”.
Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. |
Mahama's government was a bad one but Akuffo-Addo's government is fast becoming just as bad as Mahama's government. Ghanaians are losing trust in Akuffo-Addo's government at a fast pace. Look at Cecilia Dapaa's saga. She may not get conviction at court but all Ghanaians know that she is corrupt person in a failing government. Look at galamsey with party officials neck deep in this menace. Nana Addo wake and it is not too late.
This boy who was galavanting on the streets of Akropong jobless in 2016 is now super rich and insulting Elders who have worked over the years.
Director of local government services at the presidency, what kind of role is this. This government creates roles and positions which does not make sense at all
Hmmmm, so the paramount Chiefs, civil society organizations and university lecturers who disagree with this lithium deal have no " better job to do" in your estimation? I keep saying the utterances of these small boy appointees is what will bring the NPP to it's knees. Before the NPP won the 2016 elections what job were you doing which in your view was a better job than the jobs of those who disagree with the lithium deal. If you have adequate knowledge of an issue or matter you don't need to jab before making your point. What you are simply saying is that it is only those who don't have any "better job to do " who will queue on 7 December, 2024 to vote.. Those with better jobs will not waste their precious time queuing to elect people who will end up representing nobody but themselves. Miracles, do you have your own biological children who is/ are 18 years old and above who will queue to vote for the NPP to win power for you to continue to be at the jubilee house. If yes, fine, if no, who's 18 years old and above children are you relying on for the NPP to " break the 8" with this arrogant posture?
But he didn't say they have no jobs. Why do you journalist like destroying people's reputation and career. This headline is misleading
Miracles you made a lot of sense in the end but your banter with Atik nearly destroyed your superior argument. Never let anyone provoke you to derail you from your insightful display thoughts and persuasive argument.
My friend just keep your beak shut. Because your belly is full now, you think you know better. What stops the country from contracting a company with the expertise to mine and process on its behalf to get better value than just relying on royalties. Up till now we don't have gold refinery in our country, neither a serious bauxite refinery apart from Valco. Go to the arab nations and see how they structure such deals to benefit them . Can't you see how most of the emirates nations are more developed than Africa countries. Are you intentionally blind. Black man mindset. once you get something small to fill your stomach you don't think well. Please dont get people upset with your selfish and myopic submissions on radio.
As for this lad, he should know everything has an end. Today Ghanaians cannot express their views about important national issues without being labelled as busybodies by those who were empowered by them? Obviously, majority of the young people who are being mentored politically by the older generation are far worse than their mentors. Yes we need young people and women to change the narrative in this country, but certainly not these folks around the old generation of politicians. They're so digitally corrupt and inept beyond repairs.