My side would be heard when the dust settles – Boakye Agyarko

Former Minister for Energy, Boakye Agyarko, who was relieved of his duties Monday evening says he will tell his side of the story when tensions calm.

The dismissal of the former minister comes after the President was allegedly misled into approving the new AMERI deal which had been rejected by Parliament through an Executive Order.

A statement from the presidency signed by Director of Communications, Eugene Arhin stated that Boakye Agyarko had been relieved of his position with immediate effect.

Though the statement did not state the reason for his dismissal, many are certain the renegotiated AMERI deal is the reason.

The revised deal which was taken to Parliament for approval received massive backlash as the original deal signed by the Mahama-led government in 2015 during a major power paralysis in the country.

The review of the agreement presented to parliament introduced a new company, Mytilineous International Trading Company, to take over the interest of AMERI with an extended period from five to 15 years.

The new company has offered to pay Ameri an amount of $52,160,560.00, with government paying the remaining $39 million to the Dubai based company so they can wash their hands off the deal entirely.

The new deal was described by the Minority in Parliament and other energy think tanks including African Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) as “stinky” and “rip-off.”

The Senior Staff Association of the Volta River Authority (VRA), on Monday, joined calls for the Minister’s removal over the controversial AMERI novation and amendment deal stating that claims by the Energy Ministry that government had saved the country over 400 million Ghana cedis in the new deal were complete lies.

The Energy Minister who has been quiet over the issue, broke his silence Tuesday morning after his dismissal, posting on his Facebook wall that “When the dust settles my side would be heard. Thank you”.

The post has generated mixed reactions from Facebook users with some urging him to speak out as soon as possible.