Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has claimed that former President John Mahama is attempting to reintroduce the contentious Agyapa Royalties agreement under a rebranded name—GoldBod.
During an appearance on the Wontumi Morning Show, Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, argued that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) had fiercely opposed the Agyapa deal under President Akufo-Addo’s government but is now embracing a nearly identical framework under a different title.
“When the NPP government proposed the Agyapa deal, the NDC and its allies launched a massive campaign against it,” he said. “Now, the same policy is being revived under Mahama’s administration, only this time, they’ve renamed it GoldBod to disguise its origins.”
The Agyapa Royalties agreement, introduced in 2020, sought to leverage Ghana’s future mineral royalties by listing a special-purpose company—Agyapa Royalties Limited—on the London Stock Exchange.
The goal was to secure immediate funding for national infrastructure and development projects by trading a portion of the country’s gold revenue upfront.
However, the suggestion encountered backlash from civil society groups, anti-graft campaigners, and opposition members, who raised concerns over transparency and possible mismanagement.
Following a damning report from the Office of the Special Prosecutor highlighting irregularities, the government suspended the deal.
Chairman Wontumi insists that the sudden reappearance of a similar initiative under Mahama’s leadership is no accident.
“The NDC dismissed Agyapa as a flawed policy, but now they’re recycling the same concept with a fresh name,” he stated. “This proves they recognized its value all along but only opposed it for political gain.”
The NPP chairman’s remarks have reignited debate over the controversial deal, with critics questioning whether the new version addresses past concerns or merely repackages old proposals.