Details are emerging over how the fate of Boakye Ayarko, the Minister of Energy hangs in the balance over the revised controversial AMERI deal.
Sources close to the corridors of power insist the deal that has seen much political debate is set to be scrapped by the president.
The cancellation of the deal, according to the source has become necessary because the president was reportedly “misled” into believing the deal was good for the country.
It may be recalled that on July 25, the Executive Secretary to the president, Nana Bediatuo Asante wrote on behalf of the president giving executive approval to the novation and amendment agreement to the original Almeri deal of 2015 as presented by the Minister.
It said “the president of the republic has granted executive approval for the novation and amendment agreement dated July 20, 2018 between (I). the government of the republic of Ghana represented by the minister for energy (or his authorized representative), (ii) Volta river authority (VRA), (iii) Africa & the Middle East Resources Investment Group Almaeri Energy (ALMERI Energy) (iv.) Almeri Energy Power Equipment Trading LLC (Almeri Equipment), (v). Power Projects Sanayl Insaat Ticaret Limikted Sirketi (PPR) and (vi.) Mytilineos International Trading Company AG (Mytilineos), for the operation and maintenance of the existing 250MW Almeri thermal plant at Aboase for a period for 15 years.”
But latest information on the controversial contract indicates that the president has kicked against the reviewed deal, calling into question the quality of information between the presidency and the Energy Ministry.
Already, a close confidante to the president, Gabby Asare Otchere Darko is reported to have said that the deal is off.
In a tweet yesterday, the lawyer with a particular reference to media publication said the “New Ameri deal is off.”
The revised deal brought to Parliament for approval has received as much a backlash as the original deal signed by the Mahama led government in 2015 during a major power paralysis in the country.
The $510million power plant for five years was criticized by the then opposition New Patriotic Party with allied policy think tanks including ACEP and IMANI.
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