The Associate Executive Director of the Wassa Association of Communities Affected by Mining (WACAM) has called for full disclosure in the controversial MCC Power Compact II agreement between the government of Ghana and the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA).
Grace Hannah Korateng is not fully impressed with the details of the review of the compact provided by president Nana Akufo-Addo during his address to mark the May Day celebration, Monday.
She told Joy News the loud silence of the president about the controversial Article 7.1 of the compact agreement that seeks to override the country’s constitution is worrying.
The Power Compact agreement worth $498.2 million has been a subject of controversy in the country.
Part of the agreement proposes a privatization of Ghana’s electricity distributor, ECG, something workers of the company have vehemently kicked against.
Article 7.1 of the compact agreement states: “When the implementation process [of the compact agreement] begins it shall not be subject to the laws of Ghana.”
That clause has gotten many a critic worried and angry.
The John Mahama led government began negotiations with MiDA on the controversial agreement but was unable to make any firm conclusions until it was booted out of office in the December 2016 elections.
After winning the elections, president Nana Akufo-Addo has renegotiated parts of the agreement and was visibly excited in announcing to workers during the May day celebration.
According to him, no employee will be laid off on account of the power agreement.
Under the original power agreement some of the workers could be laid off after five years under a new private management arrangement.
Again, instead of the original 25 years provided for under the management agreement, it will now take 20 years for the company to revert to Ghanaian management.
In announcing these changes the president said Ghana will still be 51% owners of the ECG once the deal is sealed.
But the WACAM Associate Director is still not happy. She told Joy News this management agreement has never worked in any part of the country and wondered why Ghana should be used as “guinea pigs.”
Grace Hannah Korateng does not understand why government is even considering getting a concessionaire who would only manage and distribute power and not generate any power.
Ghana is fond of giving its “juicy” economic sectors to foreigners to manage, she protested.
Grace Hannah Korateng demanded government to come clean on the controversial Article 7.1 of the compact agreement and explain what has been done about it.
She said that clause could erode the sovereign rights of Ghana and should taken out of the agreement.
Join GhanaStar.com to receive daily email alerts of breaking news in Ghana. GhanaStar.com is your source for all Ghana News. Get the latest Ghana news, breaking news, sports, politics, entertainment and more about Ghana, Africa and beyond.
