The Minerals Commission has debunked allegation made by Civil Society Group, Third World Network (TWN) that Goldfield Ghana Limited was granted a development agreement without an investment plan.
The Commission told Citi Business News government followed all laid down procedures in granting the mining firm a development agreement.
[contextly_sidebar id=”sG2pSuMppRhIFUpTGV74rQHzFRinD7ae”]According to the commission, the development agreement would not have been approved by Parliament if Ghana was at a disadvantaged position.
“I think that we probably have to look at the fact that this agreement has been in motion since 2004. This is a matter of a level playing field created for all and so I believe that government acted correctly by understanding the situations on the ground and taking the right decision”, Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission”, Dr. Toni Aubynn stated.
TWN earlier in an interview with Citi Business News described as illegal the development agreement between the government of Ghana and Goldfields Ghana Limited.
According to the Network, Parliament’s waving of a notice period and ratifying the development agreement raises questions which need to be answered.
However, Dr. Aubynn maintained that “parliament spent time to look at it and did not find it illegal”.
“I fully appreciate and respect the opinion of the third world network. They never had stability agreement and they had indicated that they are willing to invest more”, he added.
Government of Ghana through Parliament agreed to a development contract with Goldfields Ghana limited which will see Goldfields invest 500 million dollars in its mines.
According to the company, it has already invested over two billion in the country and have contributed much more than any other mining company.
“So if there is a consideration for something which is available to all mining companies in the country I don’t see why they cannot be considered for that according to law”, Dr. Aubynn stressed.
He explained that government did not want jobs to be lost through a negotiation that would make the company lay off its workers.
By: Norvan Acquah-Hayford /citibusinessnews.com/Ghana
